She cried the day I joined the sea, she cries each safe return.
The loneliness of a sailor's life makes the homefires burn.
But I was born with a wanderlust always pushing me---
'Twas salty tears of sailors' mothers that made the salty sea.

A passionate life with passionate love in every port of call,
The Navy has the coldest heart and the hottest blood of all.
And every night in safe warm beds they dream their dreams of me---
'Twas salty tears of sailors' lovers that made the salty sea.

It's a different world on the open sea, far from the sight of land.
Little things to stay alive only shipmates understand.
My ship and I standing tall are the source of pride for me---
'Twas salty sweat of salty dogs that made the salty sea.

Oh, but the tales the sea could tell of those who know her well.
Some returned while others left their bones beneath the swells.
The sea was never salty before sailing came to be---
'Twas toil and strife of sailing life that made the salty sea.