Mates Together

When I was young, I sailed across the oceans
Where I sought to start my life anew
I was bent, to head out on the North Sea
As a whaler, I set out to be

Went to quench my thirst out in a tavern
Where 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 crew of exiled cavaliers

So yet again a bully in the alley
With his mates they struck me to the ground
And as ships 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

So 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
May 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