Mates Together

When I was young I sailed across the oceans

As I sought to start my life anew

I was bound, to head out on the North Sea

As a whaler I set out to be

Went to quench my thirst out in a tavern

There I met a British privateer

Will you put your mark here on my paper?

No, says I, and finished my third beer

But when I left, a bully in the alley

With his mates, they struck me to the ground

And to their ship, they with me senseless carried

When I woke, my hands and feet were bound

Mates together, through stormy weather

Through gentle breeze and over raging seas

Free from tether but bound forever

I've been fifteen years a privateer

I was taught to raid the trading Frenchmen

For a share I fought for three hard years

Then sold by captains closest henchmen

To a band of exiled cavaliers

So yet again a bully in the alley

With his mates, they struck me to the ground

And as ship's cook, they stuck me in the galley

For to feed the sailors all around

Mates together, through stormy weather

Through gentle breeze and over raging seas

Free from tether but bound forever

I've been fifteen years a privateer

Here I am, I'm sailing cross the oceans

And no whaler did I come to be

But, years have past, I've been promoted

And since long I'm proud to say I'm free

We may have a letter from old Charlie

That says we English law abide

But don't think we're hunting ships to parley

We don't care what colours they may fly

So here I am your bully in the alley

Will you kindly come with me a while?

You see our ship is stuck in need of sally

And I'm lacking neither wile nor guile

Mates together, through stormy weather

Through gentle breeze and over raging seas

Free from tether but bound forever

I've been fifteen years a privateer

Mates together, through stormy weather

Through gentle breeze and over raging seas

Free from tether but bound forever

I've been fifteen years a privateer

Mates together, through stormy weather

Through gentle breeze and over raging seas

Free from tether but bound forever

I've been fifteen years a privateer