Can you feel the sea breeze?
Can you see the great tale?
This ship has been roaming in search of the whale.
And tho we've returned to this arm of the sea
The smell of the ocean's still clingin' to me.

Well then I'm bound for Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm headed for home
Well then I'm bound for Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm headed for home

Well hello father hudson it's good to be home
I've headed up river to seek out my own
And with luck by tomorrow my loved ones I'll see
Where the reach of the ocean is to far from me

Well then I'm bound for Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm headed for home
Well then I'm bound for Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm headed for home

Oh the water is fresh here the gulls are all crows
It's time I gave though to a set of new clothes
And it's good to be where I've been wanting to be
Where the sigh of the ocean is to far to see

Well then I'm here in Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm back in my home
Well then I'm here in Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm back in my home

I can sleep in a bed that wont shift neath my back
And I wont care tomorrow should the clouds turn to black
I can walk anywhere that I am wanting to be
To be quit of the ocean is alright with me

Well then I'm here in Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm back in my home
Well then I'm here in Poughkeepsie
Well then I'm back in my home

All my friends and relations are gathered around
Each day I thank god for my feet on the ground
But the whales are still sportin' where the waves can run free
And the song of the ocean is singing to me

Well then I'll be leaving Poughkeepsie
Well then farewell to my home
Well then I'll be leaving Poughkeepsie
Well then farewell to my home

Oh the talk is all turning to bushels and bales
But my heart is yearning for the wind in the sails
Let the farmer sow here I can reap from the see
Where the swell of the ocean is pulling at me

Well then I'll be leaving Poughkeepsie
Well then farewell to my home
Well then I'll be leaving Poughkeepsie
Well then farewell to my home