As I walked down the Broadway   One evening last July   I met a maid who asked me trade   And a sailor lad says I      Chorus   Away Santee   My Dear Annie   Oh, you New York girls   can't you dance the polka?       To Tiffany's I took her   I didn’t mind expense   I bought her a pair of gold earrings   And they cost me fifteen cents      And she says, 'You Limejuice sailor   Now see me home you may'   But when we reached her cottage door   She this to me did say      Away Santee   My Dear Annie   Oh, you New York girls   can't you dance the polka?      My flash man he's a Yankee   With his hair cut short behind   He wears a pair of black sea-boots   And he sails in the Blackball Line      And He's homeward bound this evening   And with me he will stay   So get a move on, sailor-boy   Get cracking on your way      Away Santee   My Dear Annie   Oh, you New York girls   can't you dance the polka?      I kissed her hard and proper   Afore her flash man came   So fare thee well, you Bowery girl    I know your little game      And then I wrapped me glad rags round me   And to the docks did steer   I will never court another girl   I'll stick to rum and beer      I joined a Yankee blood-boat   And sailed away next morn   Don't mess around with women boys   You're safer ‘round Cape Horn      Away Santee   My Dear Annie   Oh, you New York girls   can't you dance the polka?