We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Five Years at Sea

by Pyrates!

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €10 EUR  or more

     

1.
And it's cheer up, me lads Let your hearts never fail, For the bonnie ship The Diamond Goes a-fishing for the whale! The Diamond is a ship me lads, For the Davis Straits she's bound And around the Quay at petershead the lassies stand around Captain Gallows gives the orders to sail the ocean wide, Where the sun it never sets, my lads, nor darkness dims the sky. And it's cheer up, me lads Let your hearts never fail, For the bonnie ship The Diamond Goes a-fishing for the whale! All along the quay at Petershead, the lasses stand around, Wi' their shawls all pulled about them and the salt tears running down, Now don't you weep, my bonny lass, though you be left behind, For the rose will grow on Greenland's ice before we change our mind. Here's health to The Resolution, likewise The Eliza Swan, Here's health to The Battler of Montrose and The Diamond, the ship of fame; We wear the trousers of the white and the jackets of the blue, When we return to Petershead we'll have sweethearts for you. It'll be bright both day and night when the Greenland lads come home, With a ship thats fu' o' oil, my lads, and money to our name; We'll make the cradles for to rock and the blankets for to tear, And every lass in Peterhead sing,"Hushabye, my dear"
2.
Oh, it's of a gentleman sailor, as a sentry he did stand, He saluted a fair maid with a waving of his hand. So boldly then he kissed her, and passed it off as a joke, Then he drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak. And the drums they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, “Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away.” All night they tossed and tumbled, till daylight did appear. The soldier rose, put on his clothes, said “Fare thee well me dear, For the drums they are a-beating, the fifes still loudly play; If it weren't for that, Polly me dear, with you I'd long to stay.” “Oh come, me gentleman soldier, now won't you marry me?” “Oh no, me dearest Polly, such things they never can be, For married I am already and children I have three; Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me.” “Oh, if anyone come a-courting you, you treat him to a glass. If anyone come a-courting you, you say you're a country lass. You needn't even tell them that ever you've laid a joke. That ever you went into a sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's cloak.” “Oh come, me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so? Me parents they'll be angry when this they come to know.” When nine long months were up and past, the young girl she brought shame, She had a little pirate lad and she couldn't tell his name.
3.
In the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and six We set sail from the grand cove of Cork. We were sailing far away with a cargo of bricks For the fine city hall of New York. with a very fine craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft And oh, how the wild winds drove her. She had twenty-seven masts and withstood several blasts And we called her the Irish Rover. There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee, There was Hogan from County Tyrone. there's a chap from Falkirk who was scared stiff of work And a chap from West Meade called Mellone. There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule And fighting Bill Tracy from Dover. There was Dooley 'oClaire who was strong as a bear And the skipper of the Irish Rover. We had one million bales of old billy goats' tails, We had two million buckets of stones. We had three million sides of old blind horses hides, We had four million packets of bones. We had five million hogs, we had six million dogs, seven million barrels of porter. We had eight million bags of the best Sligo rags In the hold of the Irish Rover. There was awl mickey coote Who played hard on his flute As the ladies lined up for a set He was tootin' with skill For each sparkling quadrille Though the ladies they were fluther'd and bet With his smart witty talk He was cock of the walk He rolled the dames under and over We all knew at a glance When he took up his stance That he sailed in the Irish rover We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out And the ship lost it's way in a fog. And the whole of the crew was reduced unto five, was us four and the captain's old dog. Then the ship struck a rock what a terrible shock And then she keeled right over, Well she turned nine times around, and the poor dog was drowned We're the last of the Irish Rover.
4.
There was a ship that put to sea, and the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea The winds blew up, as her bow dipped down, now blow, my bully boys, blow. The captain he brave and free the pride of his ship the Billy of Tea all hands he cried as the rum went down now blow, my bully boys, blow. Soon may the Wellerman come Bring us sugar and tea and rum. One day, when the tonguing is done, We'll take our leave and go. The billy set sail out of cloudy bay the whaling grounds not far away the crew they sang of botany bay as they sailed on to and fro They had not been two weeks from shore Down on her a right whale bore. The captain cried all hands and swore that he'd take that whale in tow. Before the boat had hit the water The tail came up and caught her. All hands harpooned and fought her As she dived down below. No line was cut, no whale was freed; The Captain's mind was not of greed, For he belonged to the wellerman's creed; As he took that whale in tow For forty days, or even more, The line went slack, then tight once more. All boats were lost (there were only four) But still that whale did go. As far as I know, the fight's still on; The line's not cut the whale's not gone. The Wellerman makes his regular call To the captain Captain, crew, and all.
5.
As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains I met with Captain Sparrow and his money he was counting I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier Saying "Stand and deliver for I am a bold deceiver" Musha ring dumma do damma da Whack fol the daddy o Whack fol the daddy o There's whiskey in the jar He counted out his money and it made a pretty penny I put it in my pocket and I gave it to my Jenny She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me But the devil take the women for they never can be easy I went into my chamber all for to take a slumber I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder But Jenny drew my charges, she filled them up with water She sent for Captain Sparrow to be ready for the slaughter 'Twas early in the morning, before I rose to travel Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Sparrow I then produced my pistol for she stole away my rapier But I couldn't shoot the water, for I had no super soaker If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army If I but knew his station be it Cork or in Killarney And if he'd come and join me, we'd go roving in Kilkenny I swear he'd treat me fairer than my darling sporting Jenny Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving And others take delight in the gambling and the smoking But I take delight in the juice of the barley And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
6.
Some friends and I in a public house, playing dominoes one night When into the bar, the barman came, His face all chalky white. "What's up?", says Brown "Have you seen a ghost?" "Have you seen me Aunt Moriah?" "Oh, your Aunt Moriah be-jesus," says he, "The bloody pubs on fire" "a fire?" says Brown, "What a bit of luck! Everybody follow me, It's down to the cellar if the fire ain't there So, we'll have a grand old spree" We all went down with good old Brown, For there the booze was free, and we hadn't been 5 minutes there Till we were drunk and disorderly And there was Brown, upside down lapping up the whiskey from the floor. "Booze, booze" the firemen cried As they come a knockin' at the door "Well don't let em in till it's all lapped up” Somebody shouted, "MacIntyre" And we all got blue blind paralytic drunk When the Old Dun Cow caught fire Tilady went down to the port wine tub Gave it just a few hard knocks, She started taking off her pantaloons, Likewise her shoes and socks. "hold up" says Brown, "no you can’t' do that. No, You can't do that down here Oh, you can't wash yer trotters in the port wine tub When there's plenty of stale beer" Just then there came from the old back door, The vicar of the local church And when he saw our drunken ways, He began to scream and curse; “oh, you drunken sods, you heathen clods You’ve taken to a drunken spree You drank up all the Benedictine wine, and you didn’t save a drop for me!” Just then there came an awful crash, Half the bloody roof gave way, We were almost drowned by the fireman's hose, oh we was feeling gay! so up went the blocks and the old tin tacs, and we locked ourselves inside And we sat there drinking pints of beer, Till we were bleary eye'd Well Later that night, when the fire was out, Came up from the cellar below. Our pub was burned. Our booze was drunk. Us heads was hanging low. "Thank Christ!" says Brown with a look quite Clear Seems something raised his ire. "Now we gotta get down to Elm Tree Inn; it closes in an hour!"
7.
Skipper in the wardroom drinkin' gin, Hey yo, chicken on a raft! I don't mind knockin', but I ain't goin' in! Hey yo, chicken on a raft! The jimmy's laughin' like it'd rain, Hey yo, chicken on a raft! He's lookin' at me comic cuts again! Hey yo, chicken on a raft! Chicken on a raft on a Monday morning, Oh, what a terrible sight to see, Dabtoes forward and the dustmen aft, Sittin' there a' pickin' at a chicken on a raft! Hi, ho, chicken on a raft! Hey, ho, chicken on a raft! Hi, ho, chicken on a raft! Hey, ho, chicken on a raft! Gave me the middle and the forenoon too, Now I'm pullin' on a whalin' crew. Seagulls wheelin' overhead, I oughter be home in me feather bed! I had a little girl in Donny-B, And did she make a fool of me. Her heart was like a pusser's shower, Run hot to cold in a quarter of an hour! We kissed goodbye on a midnight bus, She didn't cry and she didn't fuss, Am I that one she loves the best, Or just a cuckoo in another man's nest? An Amazon girl lived in Dumfries, Only had her kids in two's and three's, She's got a little sister in Maryhill, Says she won't but I think she will!
8.
Oh list, oh list to me sorrowful lay, And attention you’ll give to me song, I pray, When you've heard it all you'll say That I'm an unfortunate tailor. For once I was happy as a bird in a tree, My Sarah was all in the world to me, now I'm cut out by a son of the sea, she's left me here to bewail her. Chorus: A sailor, A sailor my fortune for to seek For I’ll return to the dock someday Having served my time as a sailor Now me days were honey and me nights were the same, Till a man called Cobb from the ocean came With his long black beard and his muscular frame, A captain on board of a whaler. Well he spent his money both frank and free, With his tales of the land and his songs of the sea, And he stole me Sarah's heart from me, And blighted the hopes of a tailor. Chorus Well, once I was with her, when in came Cobb "Avast!" he cried, "you blubbery swab. If you don't knock off I'll scuttle your knob!" And Sarah smiled at the sailor. How could Sarah serve me so? No more will I stitch and no more will I sew; Me thimble and me needle to the winds I'll throw And I'll go and 'list for a sailor. Chorus so now kind friends I'll bid you adieu, No more me woes shall trouble you; I'll travel the country through and through, then I’ll go and 'list for a sailor. For now I'll cross the raging sea, As Sarah's proved untrue to me. Me heart's locked up and she's the key; What a very unfeeling gaoler.
9.
The Captain counted 24 of the crew who stood aboard 2 dozen men, all brave and true each man to his accord Cast off fore and aft me boys we’ll sail from the dockyard for we’re at war we’ll sail to the sea to seek out our reward (Chorus: ) Full Sail Mates! We’ll catch ‘em on the straits, Roll out the guns, Bring forth the shot, Prime the cannons, unsheathe the swords, We’ll send ‘em down to Davy jones The bottom of the sea Full Sail Mates! As they sailed along the sea of blue, the lookout he had spied A frenchy ship, a galleon, chance of treasure was implied The captain cried all hands on deck, man yer posts ye dogs we’ll run ‘em thru this day you see, death upon the frogs (chorus) The Frenchy ship was a mighty one, we steered ourselves toward much gold in store, you never can tell unless you are aboard as they sailed upon the lee-ward side, the battle had begun the ships they crashed into the rocks and holed the galleon (chorus) The battled raged on fierce as hell, as they fought on thru the night, The mast was down it’s sails ablaze, it burned on clear and bright the French they fought with many a man, they fought with all their force but the captains lads soon cut ‘em down, they showed them no remorse (chorus) Well at last we’d slaughtered every man, and the blood spilled on the deck The cargo hold it was ours at last, and the treasure from the shipwreck and as we stumbled on below the decks, for sure we nearly drowned there was a hole of 20 feet me boys, No treasure to be found!!!! (chorus x2)
10.
There were two lofty ships, O’ a-sailin’ on the sea, Blow High! (HEY!) Blow low! (ARR!!) And so sailed we… (YARR HARR!!) One the Prince o' Luther and the other Prince o' Wales, A-sailin’ down along the coast of High Barbary. Look ahead, look astern, look a-weather and a-lee I see a wreck to windward and a ship upon the sea Oh Are you a pirate or a man-o-war I am not a pirate but a harmless man-o-war For broadside, For broadside they fought along the main Until at last the pirates shot the frigates mast away With Cutlass and gun we fought for hours three And their ship it was their coffin, and their grave it was the sea. O’ quarter! O’quarter! the Navy they did cry, But you men know not of quarter,” o’ the captain did reply, But o it was a cruel sight and grieved us full sore To see them all a-drowning as they tried to swim ashore
11.
12.
South Australia In South Australia I was born Heave away, Haul away In South Australia 'round Cape Horn We're bound for South Australia As I walked out one morning fair Heave away, Haul away 'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair We're bound for South Australia Haul away your rolling king Heave away, Haul away Haul away oh hear me sing We're bound for South Australia I shook her up and I shook her down I shook her round and round the town I run her all night and I run her all day And I run her until we sailed away And as we wallop round Cape Horn You'll wish to God you've never been born In South Australia A far away land Full of rocks and thieves and sand I wish I was on Australia's strand With a bottle of finest rum in me hand There's just one thing that's on my mind That's leaving Nancy Blair behind
13.
14.
Well, I've got a brand-new Ipad, For there are no more floppy discs, but as for my taste in music ladies and gentlemen, (and non binaries) No, I won't take many risks, I only like the real thing cause I'm a healthy bloke..... My friends are into Dub Step but I am into Folk I'm into folk, I'm into folk I told it to my friends but they thought it was a joke I'm into folk, I'm into folk My friends are into Dub Step but I am into Folk I hear it in the country, I hear it in the town I hear it in the pubs where I drink until I drown don't wanna take no drugs, no pills, no stuff, no coke My friends are into Dub Step but I am into Folk I'm practicing that fiddle, I'm practicing the flute, it only takes a couple of pints to get me in the mood you can tell my taste in music by the giant pipes I smoke My friends are into Dub Step but I am into Folk
15.
It's of a flash packet, a packet of fame, She hails from New York and the Dreadnaught's her name. 'Cross the wild Western ocean, she's bound for to go. She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go! Derry down, down, down derry down. Now the Dreadnaught is hauling out of Waterloo Dock And the boys and the girls to the pier head do flock. They give us three cheers as their tears down do flow. She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go! Derry down, down, down derry down. Now the Dreadnaught is lying in the River Mersey, 'Waiting the Independence to tow her to sea Out 'round the Rock Light where them salt tides do flow. Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we'll go! Derry down, down, down derry down. Now the Dreadnaught is sailing the Atlantic so wide, Where the high roaring seas roll along her black side. With her sails taughtly set for the Red Cross to show, She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go! Derry down, down, down derry down. And now we're arriving in old New York town. We're bound for the Bowery and let sorrows drown. With our gals and our beer, boys, oh let the song flow. And drink to the Dreadnaught where'er she may go! Derry down, down, down derry down. Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and all her brave crew, To bold Captain Samuels and his officers too. You may talk of flash packets, Swallowtail and Black Ball, But the Dreadnaught’s the flyer that can outsail them all! Derry down, down, down derry down Derry down, down, down derry down Derry down, down, down derry down

about

Pyrates! are proud to present our first live record; Five Years at Sea.

It's been a wild ride during the past half a decade. We’ve been lucky enough to travel far & wide across Europe, performing hundreds of amazing shows, some of which we'll never forget, like this one.

We wanted to share this wonderful experience with you on this album that captures the energy & atmosphere of our live concerts.

credits

released August 18, 2023

Pyrates! 'Five Years at Sea'
Recorded live at Triskell Celtic Festival 2018

Mixed by: Stephen van Haestregt
Assisting Engineers: David Gallows, Lisanne van der Heijden, Rowan Schuddeboom

Artwork: Sam Perkins-Harbin - Forge22

Cover Photo: Giovanni Aiello

All Tracks Trad arr. Pyrates! except:
'Four Up' tune in The Wellerman - Barry Goodman
Chicken on a Raft - Cyril Tawney
Full Sail Mates - David Gallows
I'm Into Folk - Bart Peeters & De Radios

Special thanks to:
Walter, Betty & the crew at Triskell - For the epic nights at the festival over the years.
Vincent Pompe van Meerdervoort - You'll be on the next one, I promise!

Lorraine Lysen, Dan Davies, Matthijs Gaspar, Our friends at Magazijn076.

And lastly; Thank you everyone who has supported us over the past five years, We couldn't have managed it all on our own.
Here's to the next five, and beyond!

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Pyrates! Netherlands

Pyrates! Are an award winning sea shanty folk rock band who will take you on a musical excursion across the oceans themselves as they breathe new life back into sea shanties, traditional songs, old folk favourites and ballads whose origins have been forgotten and lost in time. ... more

contact / help

Contact Pyrates!

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Pyrates!, you may also like: