The Last of the Privateers - Allan Taylor, Beo Brockhausen, Ian Melrose

In the company of thieves I set out for the plunder

In search of adventure and tender in years

I threw in my lot and was cast asunder

And I joined with the last of the privateers

Mexican gold and rum from Jamaica

To the isle of Bermuda to wait out the year

Then south around the Horn and the Devil can take her

It was all in a day for a privateer

I took no advance in pay or promotion

And squandered my share until it was gone

I answered to no man whatever his station

And I lived out the dream to follow the sun

For those dark-skinned beauties my heart is still yearning

With a smile for a rogue they would sing us ashore

With wine and strong liquor and young blood a’burning?

I would give up a ransom to see them once more

I’ll ship on board a Nantucket Trader

And follow the course whichever she steers

South to the Indies by chance to Bermuda

And I’ll bid farewell to the privateers

So be cheery my friends, don’t be down-hearted

Drink a health to the man who throws away cares

Lift your glass and be merry before we are parted

Bid adieu to the last of the privateers

Strike up the fiddle if you’ve a notion

And lay me down easy under the stars

Give me up to the deep of a dark rolling ocean

Say farewell to the last of the privateers