| In the company of thieves I set out for the plunder
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| In search of adventure and tender in years
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| I threw in my lot and was cast asunder
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| And I joined with the last of the privateers
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| Mexican gold and rum from Jamaica
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| To the isle of Bermuda to wait out the year
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| Then south around the Horn and the Devil can take her
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| It was all in a day for a privateer
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| I took no advance in pay or promotion
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| And squandered my share until it was gone
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| I answered to no man whatever his station
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| And I lived out the dream to follow the sun
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| For those dark-skinned beauties my heart is still yearning
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| With a smile for a rogue they would sing us ashore
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| With wine and strong liquor and young blood a’burning?
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| I would give up a ransom to see them once more
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| I’ll ship on board a Nantucket Trader
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| And follow the course whichever she steers
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| South to the Indies by chance to Bermuda
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| And I’ll bid farewell to the privateers
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| So be cheery my friends, don’t be down-hearted
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| Drink a health to the man who throws away cares
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| Lift your glass and be merry before we are parted
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| Bid adieu to the last of the privateers
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| Strike up the fiddle if you’ve a notion
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| And lay me down easy under the stars
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| Give me up to the deep of a dark rolling ocean
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| Say farewell to the last of the privateers |