The boat rides South of Ailsa Craig in the waning of the light
There's thirty men in Lendalfit tae mak our burdens bright
And there's thirty horse at Hazelholm, with the halters on their heads
All set this night upon yon height, if wind and water speed
Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine
And the darkest night is the smuggler's time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smuggler's life for me
It's a smuggler's life for me
Oh, lass ye hae a cosy bed and cattle ye hae ten
Can ye no live a lawful life ta live wi' lawful men?
But must I live with homely goods while there's foreign gear sae fine
Must I drink at the waterside, and France sae full of wine?
Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine
And the darkest night is the smuggler's time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smuggler's life for me
It's a smuggler's life for me
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 and the parson drinks it too
With a sly wink, prays,
"Forgive these men, for they know not what they do"
Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine
And the darkest night is the smuggler's time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smuggler's life for me
It's a smuggler's life for me
It's a smuggler's life for me
It's a smuggler's life for me