Thought could be a sailor and man the rail at sea.
Left behind a lover, true as ever one could be.
To sail the ocean mighty, to make the sail be full
and steer the helm lightly, as winds did soar the gull.

A girl, a lass of tender years with hair of brown so short.
She took their laughs and the jeers and gave back her retort.
Her size was small and trim, she barely filled her clothes.
And beneath her hat's weathered brim a sparkling eye showed.

Annie was the name of this small and delicate mate.
With lips so full to touch and kiss beneath the moonlight late.
The men did all respect her for her guts and skill of the sea.
This girl who left behind a lover, true as her, Ms. Annie Lee

Till a storm did come to take away the jib before the main,
they all did sail the ocean blue, in wind and pelting rain.
The cook did take to her a cup of soup and Irish tea,
but could not find this girl, his mate, the tiny Annie Lee.

They say she must have drowned in the blue on darkest night
when winds were a howlin’ and caused a fearful fright.
For days they searched and sailed to find their tiny sailing mate,
but never to again see her,  the sea her chosen fate.

And now a man stands beside the dock in reminisce.
A lover true as could be, to give and share one kiss.
For Annie left a little girl, as delicate as one could be
and her Daddy knows that to him, she’ll be his Annie Lee.