Smugglers' Song

Chorus:

Smugglers drink of the Frenchman’s wine

The darkest night is the smuggler’s time

Away we’ll run from the excise man

It’s a smuggler’s life for me, it’s a smuggler’s life for me

Oh the boat sails south from Aislser Craig in the wanning of the light

There’s 30 men at Lendel fit to make our burden light

And there’s 30 horse at Hazel Holme with the halters on their heads

All set this night upon yon height if wind and water speed

Oh lass you have a cosey bed and cattle you have ten

Can you not live a lawful life and live with lawful men

Oh must I live with the homely goods when there’s foreign gear so fine

Must I drink at the water’s side with France so full of wine

Oh it’s well I like to see you Kate with a baby on your knee

But my heart is with the gallant crew that plough through the angry sea

The bitter gale, the tightest sail, the sheltered bay our goal

It’s the wayward life, the smugglers’ strife, the joy of the smuggler’s soul

And when at last the sun comes up and the cargo’s safely stored

Like sinless saints to church we’ll go God’s mercy to afford

And there’s champagne fine for communion wine, the parson drinks it too

With a sly wink prays “forgive these men, for they know not what they do!”