I've traveled about a bit in me time

Of troubles I've seen a few

I found it far better in every clime

To paddle me own canoe

Me wants they are small I care not at all

Me debts they are paid when due

I drive away strife from the ocean of life

And paddle me own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life

No lover to prove untrue

The whole day long I laugh with the song

And paddle me own canoe

It's all very well to depend on a friend

That is if you proved him true

You'll find it better by far in the end

To paddle your own canoe

To borrow is dearer by far than to buy

A saying though old still true

You never will sigh if you only will try

To paddle your own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life

No lover to prove untrue

The whole day long I laugh with the song

And paddle me own canoe

So love everybody trust only the few

As the world you go travelling through

And never sit down with a tear and a frown

But paddle your own canoe

I rise with the lark from daylight to dark

I do what I have to do

I'm careless in wealth

I've only me health to paddle me own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life

No lover to prove untrue

The whole day long I laugh with the song

And paddle me own canoe

And I have no wife to bother me life

No lover to prove untrue

The whole day long I laugh with the song

And paddle me own canoe