Lyrics arranged from The Pirate’s Song, printed in The Bristol Mercury, 24 June 1843
The ocean is mine, and I take what I can
Of the wealth that I find on the wave;
I spurn all control and answer to no man,
Mine’s the life of the free and the brave!
Then, boys, lend an ear,
To my flag, gather near
‘Tis the flag of the bold and the brave;
O, come over the sea,
And be happy and free,
And sail with the King of the Wave!
My ship is my throne and wherever I go,
Mankind my authority own;
No mortal I fear, no rival I know,
Triumphant I wander alone;
Then, boys, lend an ear,
To my flag, gather near
‘Tis the flag of the bold and the brave;
O, come over the sea,
And be happy and free,
And sail with the King of the Wave!
O’er the turbulent deep, the watch I still keep,
And I pounce like a hawk on my prey;
Every man bends his knee, to the King of the Sea,
Then homage and tribute they pay;
Then, boys, lend an ear,
To my flag, gather near
‘Tis the flag of the bold and the brave;
O, come over the sea,
And be happy and free,
And sail with the King of the Wave!
O, the life that I lead is as free as the breeze,
Wealth and glee with me ever abound;
My merry men share in the spoils that I seize,
And fame is with us always found;
Then, boys, lend an ear,
To my flag, gather near
‘Tis the flag of the bold and the brave;
O, come over the sea,
And be happy and free,
And sail with the King of the Wave!
