[Verse]
As I rolled into Frisco, boys, I went upon the street,
I drank and gambled all night long, got as drunk as I could be,
I drank and gambled all night long, till I could drink no more,
Twas then that I thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Chorus]
Once more, boys, once more,
The Holy Ground once more,
Twas then I that thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

I shipped on the Angeline, me boys, down for the Arctic Sea,
Where its cold winds blow amid frost and snow, was as cold as it could be,
Where cold winds blow amid frost and snow, but the good old ship, she did roll,
Twas then that I thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Chorus]
Once more, boys, once more,
The Holy Ground once more,
Twas then I that thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Verse]
We weren't long in the Arctic Sea when we had spied a whale,
With harpoon in my icy hands, to hit I dare not fail,
With a harpoon in my icy hand, I shot but struck before,
Twas then that I thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Chorus]
Once more, boys, once more,
The Holy Ground once more,
Twas then I that thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Verse]
When you're aboard a whaling ship with storms and gales afore,
Your mind is in some public house that lies upon the shore,
Your mind is in some public house that lies upon the shore,
Twas then that I thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.

[Chorus]
Once more, boys, once more,
The Holy Ground once more,
Twas then I that thought that I'd like to be back,
In the Holy Ground once more.