1 You are drifting far from shore,
Leaning on an idle oar,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down;
You are drifting with the tide,
To the ocean wild and wide,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down.

Refrain:
You are drifting down,
Drifting down
To the dark and awful sea;
You are drifting down
From a Father’s loving care,
To the blackness of despair,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down.

2 Lights upon the homeland shore
Give you warning o’er and o’er,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down;
Soon beyond the harbor bar
Will your boat be carried far,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down. [Refrain]

3 Voices from the homeland shore
Fainter grow as they implore,
You are drifting, slowly drifting,
Drifting down;
O my brother, do not wait;
Heed them ere it be too late,
Ere forever you have drifted,
Drifted down. [Refrain]