i ve travelled about a bit in me time of troubles i ve seen a few i found it far better in every clime to paddle me own canoe me wants they are small i care not at all me debts they are paid when due i drive away strife from the ocean of life and paddle me own canoe and i have no wife to bother me life no lover to prove untrue the whole day long i laugh with the song and paddle me own canoe so love everybody trust only the few as the world i go travelling through and never sit down with a tear and a frown but paddle your own canoe i rise with the lark from daylight to dark i do what i have to do i m careless in wealth i ve only me health to paddle me own canoe and i have no wife to bother me life no lover to prove untrue the whole day long i laugh with the song and paddle me own canoe it s all very well to depend on a friend that is if you proved him true you ll find it better by far in the end to paddle your own canoe to borrow is dearer by far than to buy a saying though old still true you never will sigh if you only will try to paddle your own canoe and i have no wife to bother me life no lover to prove untrue the whole day long i laugh with the song and paddle me own canoe though england has ruled our small little land and many s the country too just take my advice and never think twice to paddle your own canoe it s better i say to make your own way as the world you go travelling through you never will sigh if you only will try to paddle your own canoe and i have no wife to bother me life no lover to prove untrue the whole day long i laugh with the song and paddle me own canoe