No future was there in London for a poor man's son like me
So I left my home, and I went to seek my fortune on the sea
I signed aboard a merchant ship bound for the west indies
And six weeks out we tapped into the winds of piracy
There were sails on the horizon, and we tried to make a run
And when we saw that black flag, then our running it was done
And when those pirates boarded us, they told us one-by-one
"You can die or join our crew me boys, time flies when you're having rum!"
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum
With a pistol to my forehead, then my choice was all too clear
I took leave of that merchant ship, and became a buccaneer
And though they spared my life, I think that if the truth be told
I'd joined them for the promise of adventure, rum, and gold
The quartermaster handed me a cutlass and a gun
And as I signed their articles, the captain told me
"Son, us gentlemen of fortune live life fast and on the run
So step right up and take your share, time flies when you're having rum!"
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum
For two long years I sailed with them around the Spanish Main
And we captured ships from Portugal, from England, France and Spain
And we took what we could, and we gave none back, for that's the pirate's code
And the wake we left in the Caribbean Sea ran red with blood
Now the admiralty in London sent a fleet to hunt us down
And a traitor in Port Royal told them where we could be found
They surrounded us and that's when the captain shouted
"Let 'em come! The fight will be over soon enough Time flies when you're having rum!"
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum
We ran the red flag up and then we readied all our guns
No quarter would we give, and in return expected none
We got off one good broadside but, outnumbered ten to one
They took out half our crew, and then our pirating was done
They took us back to London Town under key and lock
And the hangman's noose was swinging at the execution dock
The captain turned and said to me, "We had fine sailing son
But the voyage, it was over all too soon, time flies when you're having rum!"
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum
As you've listened to this tale, by now I'm sure you have surmised
That I slipped the hangman's cable, and escaped him with my life
But how I got away?
Well that's another story, Son
My voyages they aren't over yet, time flies when you're having rum!
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum
Time flies when you're having rum, me boys
Time flies when you're having rum!
When you're sailing under the black flag
And you're firing all your guns!
When you take a Spanish treasure ship
You divide by the rule of thumb
The voyage will be over soon enough
Time flies when you're having rum