| Down the way, where the nights are gay | 
| And the sun shines daily on the mountain top | 
| I took a trip on a sailing ship | 
| And when I reached Jamaica, I made a stop | 
| Cos I’m sad to say, I’m on my way | 
| Won’t be back for many a day | 
| My heart is down, my head is turning around | 
| I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town | 
| Sounds of laughter everywhere | 
| And the dancing girls sway to and fro | 
| I must declare, my heart is there | 
| 'Though I’ve been from Maine to Mexico | 
| Cos I’m sad to say, I’m on my way | 
| Won’t be back for many a day | 
| My heart is down, my head is turning around | 
| I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town | 
| Down at the market, you can hear | 
| Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear | 
| Aki rice, swordfish are nice | 
| And the rum is fine any time of year | 
| Cos I’m sad to say, I’m on my way | 
| Won’t be back for many a day | 
| My heart is down, my head is turning around | 
| I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town | 
| Down the way, where the nights are gay | 
| And the sun shines daily on the mountain top | 
| I took a trip on a sailing ship | 
| And when I reached Jamaica, I made a stop | 
| Cos I’m sad to say, I’m on my way | 
| Won’t be back for many a day | 
| My heart is down, my head is turning around | 
| I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town |