Lyrics Black Flag Flying - David Rovics

Black Flag Flying

Come all you sailors near and far
You honest men know who you are
All of you who’d dare be free
Combine with us upon the sea
Together we will drink a toast
Ride the wind on down the coast
See the merchant ship to board
Raise a jar and swing a sword
Watch to see the merchant captain crying
When they see the black flag flying
The war with Spain is over now
No more Jack over the bow
We fight for no one but our class
We’re gonna kick some captain’s ass
All you who’d live before you die
Come give an honest life a try
Sail beneath the skull and bones
Pay no heed to crowns and thrones
No more greedy princes lying
When you come sail with the black flag flying
No more whips and no more chains
To live free or die is what remains
If life is too short either way
You might as well live free today
All for one and one for all
We’ll board the ship and make the call
Join us, all you good men
And have your liberty again
Watch the crew now leave their captain frying
As they come sail with the black flag flying
Here’s to Fly and Roberts, brave and true
And Mary Kelly’s gallant crew
It seems to me the world is ours
Watch as the mighty Navy cowers
We have no nation but the sea
No creed but that we will live free
We’ll loot and burn all that we can
That’s run by a dishonest man
Their end is near and there is no denying
When they see the black flag flying
If I could predict the future then I would
But all I know is this is good
1720 is the year
And there is nothing left to fear
We may live or we may die
Perhaps our destiny is nigh
I don’t know what the end may hold
But I know these ships are filled with gold
That was stolen from the poor as we lay dying
So let us sail with the black flag flying