She said that she loved me and would always be true
And I told her that I loved her too
And though we’d just met there was magic that night
Like a book, it was love at first sight
Then she took me upstairs with a smile and a wink
But the sweetheart had fiddled my drink
And when I awoke she was not next to me
For I was 200 miles out on the salt sea
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel
    
Just home from sea and glad was I to be on solid ground
I swore to god that nevermore would I leave Belfast town
I sold all my cold weather gear to some naïve young tar
And with me pockets jingling I stopped in the harbour bar
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel
    
Well straight way she came up to me and took me by the arm
Her angel looks beguiled me and I thought ah what’s the harm
We drank, we laughed, we kissed and cooed just like true lovers do
‘twas then she whispered in me ear “I think that I love you”
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel
    
I scarcely could believe me luck as we went up the stairs
She gave to me a glass of wine as she unpinned her hair
I drank it quick as lightning as she let her red dress fall
And her naked beauty is the very last thing I recall
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel
    
I woke aboard a sailing ship me pour ould head was sore
Out among the rolling waves far from the shamrock shore
No weather gear to keep me warm no one to pity me
‘twas then I wished that I was dead put out of misery
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel
    
So here I am a sadder man but wiser just the same
I’ve learned me lesson well this time I know her little game
She took me pride, she broke me heart she stole me money too
No more I’ll trust those pretty girls likewise their witch’s brew
    
Shanghaied again it serves me right
For I’m a drunken fool
She made me fall for her delights
How could she be so cruel