songs about pirates

Subject: Lyr Add: HENRY MARTIN^^^
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 06:53 PM

The most classic pirate song I know is Henry Martin, but there must be some others. Who's got one?

HENRY MARTIN

There were three brothers in merry Scotland In Scotland there lived brothers three And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go, should go For to turn robber all on the salt sea

The lot it fell first upon Henry Martin The youngest of all the three That he should turn robber all on the salt sea For to maintain his two brothers and he

He had not been sailing but a long winter's night And part of a short winter's day When he espied a rich lofty ship Come a bibing down him straight away

Hello, hello, cried Henry Martin What makes you sail so high I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London town Won't you please for to let me pass by

O no, o no, cried henry martin That thing it never can be For I have turned robber all on the salt sea For to maintain my two brothers and me

So lower your topsail and bail up your mizzen Bring yourself under my lee Or I shall give you a fast flowing ball And your dear bodies drown in the salt sea

Then broadside and broadside and at it they went For fully two hours or three Til Henry Martin gave to her the death shot Heavily listing to starboard went she

The rich merchant vessel was wounded full sore Straight to the bottom went she And Henry Martin sailed away ... on the salt sea

Sad news, sad news to old England came Sad news to fair London town There was a rich vessel and she's cast away And all of her merry men drowned

Child #250 @sailor @Scots @English @pirate filename[ HENRMART Tune file : HENRMART

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:09 PM

Captain Kidd click here

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: MMario
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:10 PM

well a search of the dt for "pirate" gives 38 hits, which is a place to start.

a google search for "pirate song" gave me this one

and this one here

and there is one here

and kids pirate songs

and finally - here has the index for an entire book of 'em

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:20 PM

Shiver me timbers! It's a veritable armada!

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Midchuck
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:27 PM

I'm partial to Pirate Jenny from the threepenny opera. Not folk, obviously, but good enough to be.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:35 PM

Well, if we leave the folk world for a moment we should certainly listen to The Pirate King from The Pirates of Penzance. With Catlike Tread is also a winner----think Hail Hail the Gangs all Here.

But---stick to D'Oyly Carte versions---the new bowdlerzied versions are really quite bad.

The Weavers, back in the 50s, had a version of She Had A Dark And Roving Eye---sort of pirate oriented. Not much though.

There must be afew songs about LaFitte(spelling)/

Bill H

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:43 PM

'Andrew Bardine', a New England variant of 'Henry Martin', is a good'un. It ends with Andrew Bardine's defiant boast to Captain Charles Stuart:

Go home, go home, says Andrew Bardine
And tell your king for me
That he may reign king of the merry dry land
But I will king of the sea

I have it on Ed McCurdy's 'Treasure Chest of American Folk Song', but no doubt versions have been recorded elsewhere.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 08:51 PM

"The Book Of Pirate Songs" by Stuart Frank is a great resource & a great collection of Pirate songs. Published by the Kendall Whaling Museum, Sharon, Mass. USA 1998.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 08:52 PM

If you can find the words to "Stede Bonnet" that's a good one I think it goes: Have you heard the legend of Major Stede Bonnet?/ A most feared buccaneer was he,/Left a house and a wife and a home in Barbados/ and turned to a life of piracy.

Can't think of the rest off the top of my head. Hope it helps. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 09:55 PM

"Captain Ward and the Rainbow", "My Name is Captain Kidd", "High Barbaree." And, I suppose, "Fifteen Men on the Dead Man's Chest" from "Treasure Island". For non-folky stuff, try "A pirate's Life for Me" from Disney's Peter Pan.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: mg
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 10:01 PM

Pirate's Serenade is quite beautiful...my boat's on the harbor my barque's on the bay and both must be gone at the dawn of the day..

mg

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 10:02 PM

Plenty of Pirate stuff at the  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads  site, though most don't specify tunes: search for pirate.

You might also like to have a look at  The Phantom Pirate  (Captain Goldsack); lyrics William Sharp, music Claude Gifford.

Malcolm

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST SASKATCHEWAN PIRATE^^^
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 10:25 PM

Gimme The Arrogent Worm's Last Saskatchewan Pirate any day....

{~`

I used to be a farmer and I made a living fine
I had a little stretch of land along the C.P. line
But time went by and though I tried the money wasn't there
And the bankers came and took my land and told me, "Fair is fair".
I looked for every kind of job the answer always NO
"Hire you now", they'd always laugh ,"We just let 20 go".
The government they promised me a measly little sum
But I've got too much pride to end up just another bum

Then I thought who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone
I'm gonna' be a pirate on the river Saskatchewan

(Chorus)
'Cause it's a heave ho hi ho comin'' down the plain
Stealing wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho hey hi hey Farmers bar your doors
When you see the jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shore

Well you'd think the local farmers would know that I'm at large
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge
I snuck right up behind them and they were none the wiser
I rammed their ship and sank it and stole their fertiliser
A bridge outside of Moosejaw spans the mighty river
Farmers cross in so much fear their stomach's are a quiver
Cause they know that Tractor Jack is hiding in the bay
I'll jump the bridge and knock em cold and sail off with their hay

(Chorus)

Well Mountie Bob he chased me he was always at my throat
He followed on the shoreline but he didn't own a boat
The cutbacks were coming so the Mountie lost his job
So now he's sailing with me and we call him Salty Bob
A swinging sword a skull and bones and pleasant company
I never pay my income tax and screw the g.s.t.
From Albert town to Saskatoon the terror of the sea
If ya want to reach the co-op boy you gotta get by me

(Chorus)

(spoken...)
Aaaaaarrrrr Metis..... Get it.... Metis.....
That's Riel-ly funny..... ya know... Louis Riel

Well pirate life's appealing but you don't just find it here
I've heard that in Alberta there's a band of buccaneers
They roam the Athabasca from Smith to Fort McKay
And yer gonna lose yer Stetson if you have to pass that way
Well winter is a coming and a chill is in the breeze
My pirate day's are over once the river starts to freeze
I'll be back in spring time but now I have to go
I hear there's lots'a of plundering down in New Mexico

(Chorus)
(Acca. Chorus and dénouement)

{~`

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 11:13 PM

And for the distaff side there is Maid On The Shore.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Margo
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:40 AM

There is a wonderful song about how fun it is to be a pirate until.... then it lists verse by verse the bad things that can happen like losing body parts. The rhyme is well done and the melody very singable. I have to ask a friend about it because I can't remember the name or artist. But I will make the inquiry - Margo

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 05:53 AM

Noone's mentioned BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS yet.

The distinction between pirates and privateers is pretty marginal. As witness Sir Francis Drake, who crops up in a few songs, well sanitised (; Drake's Drum, and

And there are five songs in the DT about Paul Jones.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 11:46 AM

hmmm.... Is "Fifteen Men on the Dead Man's Chest" from "Treasure Island" a real pirate shanty or did Stevenson just make it up?

Håvard

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 06:41 PM

Midchuck - Bert Brecht wrote another pirate song, before the Threepenny Opera, I believe, which has just been recorded by a German folk band. It works very well.
No songs, but the book 'Bold In Her Breeches. Women pirates across the ages', ed. by Jo Stanley, is absolutely wonderful. Not least, there is a long chapter on Granuaile, or Grace O'Malley. For music, try Shaun Davey's suite 'Granuaile'. - Susanne

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: tgreenie
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 08:09 PM

I wrote a song about a woman pirate called Bonnie Reed. That's a blend of the last names of the two famous female pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Reed who who sailed with Calico Jack. If anyone's interested I'd be glad to share.

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,C Dye
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 08:15 PM

Because I can't resist, I'll mention "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" from the first Veggietales Sing-Along Video.

We are the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything We just stay home and lie around And if you ask us to do anything We'll just tell you, "we don't do anything."

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 08:39 PM

Then there's "The Flying Cloud." Nobody seems to care while the ship is engaged in the slaving trade, but let them turn to piracy and the establishment enforcers bear down upon them, kill the captain, and haul the lot of them off to prison.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: Lox
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 09:43 PM

Darn it!

I wanted to say Barrets Privateers.

Sulk!

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: John Hindsill
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 09:44 PM

Jimmy Buffet's, "A Pirate Looks at 40". Okay, so he isn't REALLY a pirate, just a pretend one; and it isn't really folk, but it is a bitchin' song!

Subject: RE: Wanted: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,John Gray/Australia
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 11:34 PM

The Pirate(s) by Emerson Lake & Palmer takes some beating. "the cutlass harvested" what a lyric.

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 05:39 AM

It's not easy being a postcolonial pirate:

Key & Peele - Pirate Chantey

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Vic Smith
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 05:56 AM

Lord Bateman and Susan Pirate - the title given to the ballad when it was collected from Charlotte Higgins at Blairgowrie by Isabel Sutherland in 1954.

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 10:29 AM

For a more serious look at songs of maritime malfeasance, Stuart Frank's New Book o Pirate Songs is a fine, well-documented source. With words, music and extensive notes for 84 songs, all from thye age of sail, it's a bargain at $19.95 for the soft cover edition; $20.95 in hard cover. CAMSCO Music is the publisher. You can order by phone at 800/548-FOLK (3655)

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 11:26 AM

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho

/ D GD DA D / Bm F#m / / G D / E A /

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 11:28 AM

The Pirate's Song

My boat's by the tower, my bark's on the bay
Both must be gone by the dawn of the day
The moon's in her shroud, and to light thee afar
On the deck of the "Daring's" a love-lighted star

CHORUS:
So, wake, lady, wake, I'm waiting for thee
On this night, or never, my bride thou shalt be
Wake, lady, wake, I'm waiting for thee
On this night or never my bride thou shalt be

Forgive my rough mood, unaccustomed to sue
I woo not, perhaps, as the landlubbers do
For my voice is attuned to the sound of the gun
Which startles the deep when the combat's begun

Oh, islands there are on the face of the deep
Where the leaves never fade and the skies never weep
So haste, love, make haste, while the fair breezes blow
And an ocean bird poses on pinions of snow

A hundred shall serve, the best of the brave,
The chief of a thousand shall kneel as thy slave
And thou shalt reign queen, and our empire shall last
'Til the black flag, by inches, is torn from the mast

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 11:30 AM

The Pirate Song

To the mast nail our flag it is dark as the grave,
Or the death which it bears while it sweeps o'er the wave;
Let our deck clear for action, our guns be prepared;
Be the boarding-axe sharpened, the scimetar bared:
Set the canisters ready, and then bring to me,
For the last of my duties, the powder-room key.

It shall never be lowered, the black flag we bear;
If the sea be denied us, we sweep through the air.
Unshared have we left our last victory's prey;
It is mine to divide it, and yours to obey:
There are shawls that might suit a sultana's white neck,
And pearls that are fair as the arms they will deck.

There are flasks which, unseal them, the air will disclose
Diametta's fair summers, the home of the rose.
I claim not a portion: I ask but as mine
'Tis to drink to our victory - one cup of red wine.
Some fight, 'tis for riches - some fight, 'tis for fame:
The first I despise, and the last is a name.

I fight, 'tis for vengeance. I love to see flow,
At the stroke of my sabre, the life of my foe.
I strike for the memory of long-vanished years;
I only shed blood where another shed tears,
I come, as the lightning comes red from above,
O'er the race that I loathe, to the battle I love.

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 08:09 PM

Privateers of the Public Airwaves by Roy Zimmerman, recorded by The Foremen

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 11 Jul 15 - 10:18 PM

Polly on the Shore.

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Jul 15 - 12:37 AM

This is my adaption of John .Masefield's poem about Long John Silver the villain of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - free download. the tuning is DADGAD

https://soundcloud.com/denise_whittle/john-silver

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: GUEST,Guitarfumbler
Date: 12 Jul 15 - 07:37 AM

Check out Essex singer Roy Mette's albums of Pirate songs. Wonderfull stuff!

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: CupOfTea
Date: 13 Jul 15 - 04:46 PM

My favorite Pirate songs is the wonderfully off-kilter
Refrigerator Pirates
done by the Smokin Fez Monkeys.
That video is priceless, as "Rattletrap Jack Hokum" who wrote the song has moved on from the group, and "Bullfrog Willy Plunkett" (Tim Wallace) passed away last March. I'm sorry I never shared this with Art Theime, as it's a song I could have imagined him having a ball with as it's totally pun-saturated.

With the blossoming of "Pyrate" festivals, there must be a bunch of songs geared to that Renfaire spin-off batch. I saw a group at a maritime festival who struck me as perfect for that venue, though they were more into bawdy songs, than pirates per se.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: songs about pirates
From: Vic Smith
Date: 14 Jul 15 - 04:50 PM

Long John Silver on the brand new Richard Thompson album.