Two hundred years ago or more
As the evening light was failing
Ten galleons rigged for war
To the Spanish Main set sailing
They had their Royal Orders clear
To make good speed for blue waters
And the prize was a buccaneer
For twenty king's men he did slaughter
Away with the warps, boys
Haul up the main
It’s the lash or the rum, boys
Slaves to the vane
There, in the topsails
Look lively, lads
For the winds veering fast now
When the bow comes round
Head her into the Sound
And we’ll be Caribbean bound
Captain Jack has nerves of steel
He’s a fearsome lord of high degree
Famed to keep an even keel
Amidst the terrors of the high seas
For him a man-of-war is home
A hefty hulk of hewn oak timbers
Set to steer the loxodrome
Beating full sail out to windward
Away with the warps, boys
Haul up the main
It’s the lash or the rum, boys
Slaves to the vane
There, in the topsails
Look lively, lads
For the winds veering fast now
When the bow comes round
Head her into the Sound
And we’ll be Caribbean bound
The ships good souls did drink and cheer
As they gathered round Jack's table
He says "God bless our vessel dear
And all her fine hands fit and able
She's the last sight brigands see
As their sloops are rent asunder
And the last sound that they hear
Is her cannon-fire like thunder!"