In the Blackball Line I served me time, An’ ahoodah, an’ ahoodah! In the Blackball Line I waisted me prime. An ahoodah, doodah, day! Blow, boys, blow, fer Californ-i-a! There’s plenty o’ gold, so i’ve bin told, On the banks o’ Sacramento!
As I wuz walkin’ on the quay, A pretty young gal I chanced to see.
I raised me hat an’ said, “How do?” She said, “Quite well, no thanks to you.”
I axed her then to come with me, Down to the docks me ship to see.
She quickly answered, “Oh, dear, no, I thank you, but I cannot go.”
“I have a sweetheart young and true, I cannot give my love to you.”
I said goodbye an’ strode away, Although with her I longed to stay.
An’ as I bade this gal adieu, I said that girls like her were few.
