He was captain of a small ship, and he called her the queen Jackson was an old man, the skipper of the sea And he dreams about one day, an island he'll find Out lost in the ocean, just passing in time, . and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin' And he's been to places, (and he's been to places) And he knows them quite well, (and he knows them quite well) But those are just traces, of stories to tell And he loves his lady, and his whiskey is sweet But sailin's his first love, it keeps him so free, . and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin' And he goes where the wind blows, and he flows with the tide Just going nowhere, just going for the ride And cigarette for company, and a shot for goodtimes A sunset to follow, into the night . and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin', sailin' away, and he rather be Sailin'