Down the way where the nights are gay and the sun shines daily on the mountaintop I took a trip on a sailing ship and when I reached Jamaica I made a stop But I'm sad to say I'm on my way, I 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 bend Ackee rice, salt fish are nice and the rum is fine any time of the year But I'm sad to say I'm on my way, I 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 swing to and fro I must declare my heart is there though I've been from Maine to Mexico But I'm sad to say I'm on my way, I 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