[2] Similar lyrics were recorded by Joanna Colcord in her collection Roll and Go, Songs of American Sailormen in 1924, where she stated that the melody had been forgotten.
'cause we're homeward bound from the Arctic ground/tis a grand ol' sound With a good ship, taut and free And we won't give a damn when we drink our rum With the girls of Old Maui.
Even now their big brown eyes look out Hoping some fine day to see Our baggy sails runnin' 'fore the gales Rolling down to old Maui.
(The following verse is seen in some collections and performances of the song, but is not universal:) And now we're anchored in the bay With the Kanakas all around With chants and soft aloha oes They greet us homeward bound.
And now ashore we'll have good fun We'll paint them beaches red Awaking in the arms of a wahine With a big fat aching head.
Chorus As it is a folk song, it has been performed and recorded by several singers and bands including The Dreadnoughts, David Coffin, Kimber's Men, Todd Rundgren, Don Sineti, Stan Rogers, The Longest Johns, and Jon Boden.
Californian folk singer Brian Robertson has recorded an alternate version entitled "Old Maui (from the Whales' Point of View)" on his album Saltchuck Serenade.