Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me, Santa Catalina, the island of romance, Romance, romance, romance. Water all around it ev'rywhere, Tropical trees and the salty air, But for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance. It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away, restin' in the water serene. I'd work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island dream. Twenty-six miles, so near, yet far. I'd swim with just some water wings and my guitar. I can leave the wings but I'll need the guitar For romance, romance, romance, romance. Twenty-six miles across the sea Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me, Santa Catalina, the island of romance, Romance, romance, romance. Water all around it ev'rywhere, Tropical trees and the salty air, But for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance. A tropical heaven out in the ocean covered with trees and girls. If I have to swim I'd do it forever till I'm gazin' on those island pearls. Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat, Any old thing that'll stay afloat. When we arrive we'll all promote romance, romance, romance