Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)
Halyard Shanty
Music & Lyrics ©1967 by lyricist Xavier Atencio and composer George Bruns


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REVISED 02/07/08

 

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.

We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
Maraud and embezzle and even hijack.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.

We're rascals, scoundrels, villains and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs!
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er-do-well cads.
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
Aye! But we're loved by our mommies and dads!
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Anyone who has been to visit The Mouse in California or Florida knows this tune and the thrilling memories it conjures up.  "Dead Men Tell No Tales!"  The Toucan Pirates actually obtained permission to perform this song -- and they call themselves "Pirates!"  Should be keel hauled!  

It should be noted that the "Yo Ho" part of this song (1967) pays homage to "The Derelict" written by Young E. Allison for a Broadway musical (1901), itself based on Robert Louis Stevenson's (1881) "Treasure Island."  Three generations of myth that pirates went "Arrr" and "Yo Ho Ho!"