Lyr Add: Pirates' Own Song

Subject: Pirates' Own Song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 04:37 PM

Here's a reworking as a song of a Victorian pirate poem from the classic work THE PIRATES OWN BOOK. I'd also like to see what other "new" pirate songs folks have turned up added to this thread; repaste in Word/Times/#12 and the chords should pop into place. ARRGGGHHH!

PIRATES' OWN SONG
(From Pirates Own Book © 1924 Adapted by Charlie Ipcar © 1993 Tune: King John & the Abbot of Canterbury also known as Blue Mountain Lake Key: Dm(7/Gm))

Dm----------------------------C/Dm/Am
Hoist our flag to the mast, 'tis dark as the grave,
------Dm—C---Dm/Gm-------Am
Or the death which we bear, as we sweep o'er the waves;
---------Dm----------------------Am
Have the decks cleared for action, the gun crews prepared,
----Dm--------------------------C Dm/Am
The boarding-axe sharpened, the cut-lass-es bared.

Chorus

Dm------------C-----Dm/Am/Dm
And 'tis down, down; sink them all down!

Have the great guns run out, then bring unto me,
For the last of my duties, the gun powder key;
I'll never lower this black flag we bear;
If the sea be denied us, we'll fly through the air! (CHO)

To share lies the plunder, from our last prey,
'Tis mine to divide; 'tis yours to obey;
I claim not a portion; I ask but for mine –
A toast to our prize – one cup of red wine! (CHO)

Now some fight for riches; some fight for fame:
The first I despise; the last's but a name;
I fight for vengeance! I love to see flow,
At the stroke of my saber, the blood of my foe!(CHO)

I strike for the memory of long-vanished years:
Of a fair maiden lost, of a family in tears;
I come in a flash, as lightning from above,
And chase o'er the waves to the battle I love!(CHO)

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Pirates' Own Song
From: Gareth
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 07:27 PM

The tune - Lord Fardon (Lord Farringdon) if it differs, is also a damn good fit.

Question, the magazine key ( Gun Powder Key ) was a Royal Navy regulation - with those who sailed on the account ??

The Black Flag - hmmm, tradition says it was the Red Flag - the Jollie Rouge corrupted to the Jolly Roger signifying if you fought - no quarter.

But pedancy aside, a damn fine song and one that will go into my repetoir for less than sober nights at the Sailing Club in Chatham.

Gareth

Gareth

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Pirates' Own Song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 09:04 PM

Gareth -

No claim for historical accuracy for this one, although it's already a fairly radical adaptation of the original Victorian poem. I'll post that if anyone is really interested with what this is based on. With regard to the "gun powder key" line, it was originally the "powder room key" which stirred up giggled within our ranks. Of aware of red pirate flags but I also believe there were black ones as well.

Have fun with it!