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lyrics

We were a bunch o’ wild sea devils raisin’ the flag o’ black
Sailin’ seas no pirate sailed and never lookin’ back!
Them other dogs on them other ships out prowlin’ on the Main
They laughed at our plot, scoffed and said we all must be insane.
“Those waters are free,” said they, “For the risk is just too high.”
“Vultures,” said we, “Take the easy prey, while hunters take the prize!”
We all geared up and armed the ship for the die it had been cast,
And we showed them all that we had the gall with a single cannon’s blast.
With a laugh we chose a path that would someday change the world,
We’d need no plan to make our stand as the sails they were unfurled.
We cut our swath across the seas and little did we know,
Those scavengers they would follow us and in our shadow grow.
We sailed our ships straight down the coast to the first port that we saw,
Their men were brave and their walls were lined with more guns than Panama
Their cannon tore our masts to Hell which only fueled our rage
And walls that were built to keep us out now became their cage!
Our broadside answered those cannons’ call, our guns spoke with theirs
Bold blackguards, we, stormed ashore and laughed at the soldier’s stares
We met their steel in the streets and fought for our renown,
With powder and shot their blood we sought and burned them to the ground.
[CHORUS]
We carved our name across the seas, our wealth and power grew
Though these waters had been tamed by us, in our wake those vultures flew
They called us mad when we began, for that they would atone
We hove full sail and heaved her ‘round and made this fight their own!
The first of our good pirate friends was a frigate unaware
They gave salute and bid us approach as we brought our guns to bear,
Our grapeshot took the upper decks while our brass shot breeched below
Their first mate died as their captain cried and their crew ran to and fro.
[CHORUS]
Down to the last buccaneer, they died crying our names
And they screamed like frightened children as their ships went up in flames
Some were burned, some we shot, some met the salty kiss,
“Mercy!” they begged at their last breath and each did we dismiss
“So to you thieves and pretenders and those that take our path
You should know before you start that none escape our wrath
But hear out this compromise on which we should agree
Keep your weak-hearted band upon the land, for we pirates rule the sea!”
With a laugh we chose a path that would someday change the world,
We’d need no plan to make our stand as the sails they were unfurled.
But hear out this compromise on which we should agree
Keep your weak-hearted band upon the land, for we pirates rule the sea!”

credits

from Cutlass, Cannon and Curves, released September 1, 2005

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The Jolly Rogers Kansas City, Missouri

Pirates before pirates were cool. The Jolly Rogers were born as the Earth still cooled, waaaay back in 1991. Bringing maritime music, sea shanties, drinking and bawdy songs to audiences before pirates were all the rage, they've been a main stage act at venues across America and Europe. ... more

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