Dm
Dm C Dm
No future was there in London for a poor man’s son like me
G A
So I left my home and went to seek my fortune on the sea
Dm C Dm
I signed aboard a merchant ship bound for the West Indies
G F Dm
And six weeks out we tacked into the winds of pyracy
Dm C Dm
There were sails on the horizon, and we tried to make a run
G A
And when we saw that black flag, then our runnin’ it was done
Dm C Dm
And when those pyrates boarded us, they told us one by one
G F Dm
“You can die or join our crew, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!”
[Chorus]
Dm C Dm
Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
G A
When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns
Dm C Dm
When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb
G F Dm
The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
Dm C Dm
With a pistol to my forehead, then my choice was all too clear
G A
I took leave of that merchant ship and became a buccaneer
Dm C Dm
And though they spared my life, I think that if the truth be told
G F Dm
I joined them for the promise of adventure, rum, and gold
Dm C Dm
The quartermaster handed me a cutlass and a gun
G A
And as I signed their articles, the captain told me, “Son,
Dm C Dm
Us gentlemen o’ fortune live life fast ’n’ on the run
G F Dm
So step right up and takes your share, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!”
[Chorus]
Dm C Dm
Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
G A
When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns
Dm C Dm
When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb
G F Dm
The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
Dm C Dm
For two long years I sailed with them around the Spanish Main
G A
And we captured ships from Portugal, from England, France, and Spain
Dm C Dm
And we took what we could and we gave none back, for that’s the pyrates’ code
G F Dm
And the wake we left in the Caribbean Sea ran red with blood
Dm C Dm
Now the admiralty in London sent a fleet to hunt us down
G A
And a traitor in Port Royale told them where we could be found
Dm C Dm
They surrounded us in Nassau, the captain shouted, “Let ’em come!
G F Dm
The fight’ll be over soon enough, times flyes when you’re havin’ rum!”
[Chorus]
Dm C Dm
Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
G A
When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns
Dm C Dm
When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb
G F Dm
The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
Dm C Dm
We ran the red flag up and then we readied all our guns
G A
No quarter would we give, and in return expected none
Dm C Dm
We got off one good broadside but outnumbered 10 to 1
G F Dm
They took out half our crew and then our pyrating was done
Dm C Dm
They took us back to London town under key and lock
G A
And the hangman’s noose was swingin’ at the Execution Dock
Dm C Dm
The captain turned ’n’ said to me, “We had fine sailin’, son,
G F Dm
The voyage it was over all too soon, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!”
[Chorus]
Dm C Dm
Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
G A
When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns
Dm C Dm
When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb
G F Dm
The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
(Slower)
Dm C Dm
Now as you listen to this tale, by now, I’m sure you have surmised
G A
That I slipped the hangman’s cable and escaped him with my life
Dm C Dm
But how I got away, well that’s another story, son
(Faster)
G F Dm
My voyages they aren’t over yet, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!
[Chorus]
(x2)
Dm C Dm
Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
G A
When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns
Dm C Dm
When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb
G F Dm
The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum
