I had dreamed of the far lands,
Of ships, and of garlands
Made from the best silks and gold cloth

I wanted to see there
To go there to be where
The spice traders haggled their wares

But homelands, I knew well
My life, too, I would sell
Could never be bought back again

I was a young dreamer
I boarded that steamer
And left my old world behind

If I had but known
I could never go home
I would still be here with you today

But I sailed away
And regret it this day
As our ship founders in the high waves

If here I should die
Let me please say goodbye
And I'm sorry I left you behind

Oh dear God, those cold waves are unkind…