A traditional folk classic shanty collected by all the major text compilers including Hugill, Doerflinger, and others. It's earliest example can be found from 1894 in Williams' Studies in Folk Song and Popular Poetry.
The earliest audio recording of the song in existence can be found from Captain Leighton Robinson, as "Rio Grande" on the American Sea Songs and Shanties vinyl LP 1939.
Lyrics
These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns in their Livestreams, the original lyrics can be found here.
{Anna}
Our ship went a-sailin' on over the bar
('away for Rio!)
and we pointed our bow to the old southern star
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus}
And away, boys, away!
Away for Rio,
So fare thee well, all you pretty young girls,
and We're bound for the Rio Grande.
{Anna}
Oh say was you never down Rio Grande?
('away for Rio!)
It's there that the water runs down golden sand
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus}
{Anna}
There was some of us sick and some of us sore,
('away for Rio!)
we scoffed all our lime juice and can't get no more
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus}
{Anna}
So pack up your donkeys an' get underway,
('away for Rio!)
Them girls we are leavin' will get our half-pay.
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus}
{Anna}
Goodbye to Molly and goodbye to Sue,
('away for Rio!)
You folks on the quay side, it's goodbye to you!
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus}
{Anna}
Sing only one pull avast heaving my sons
('away for Rio!)
Sing only one chorus it's blowing big guns
(And we're bound for the Rio Grande!)
{Chorus til Finish}