Oh the captain set me free, said I could sail today
So when you get this letter from me,
I will be far away
We were too young to marry, and too young to know
Dear Rita, I’m sorry, but I have to go.

This is my sad song, flying away on the wing
Just like a bluebird, when summer has
come to an end
For such a long time, I tried to break away
from the sea
But I’m too restless, you know,
those faraway places were calling

We just arrived in Shanghai and the sky is so blue
I got leave from that captain, but Rita,
where are you?
This is my sad song, flying back home on the wing
Just like a bluebird, when summer has
come once again.

For such a long time, I was alone on the sea
Yes, I was restless but now home is callin’ me
Oh Captain, please, please let me go
I miss my Rita, oh I miss her, I miss her so

OK, sailor, I won’t stop you if you want to go home
But you’ll be back, son, ’cause sailors like you
Were born to roam
And sail forever…