Written By:  Rum Rebellion
Song:        Dancing the Hempen Jig

Today I'll be hung from the gallows at noon
For many, they think my death can't come too soon
For a buccaneer's life is the one that I've lead
'Twas wedded to freedom, but today I'll be dead

My ship was a schooner, Empress  was her name
We sailed for adventure, for fortune and fame
We raided the galleons and the ports and the towns
But the navy lay lurking as we drank the rum down

They set fire to my ship, then my back met their whip
As they shackled me toward my doom
Then they prisoned me here, and I've waited a year
But my dying day finally has come

CHORUS:
For I'm Dancing the Hempen Jig today
For my crimes I'm about to pay
With the cord 'neath my chin, I'll meet death with a grin
Then I'll sway in the wind with the tide coming in
I'll be Dancing the Hempen Rope Jig


At the trial I stood with the rest of the crew
And in our defense there was not we could do
For the charges were long 'gainst we buccaneers bold
The ghosts of a long life full of thirsting for gold

There was mutiny, piracy, thievery and more
Since we'd plundered and pillaged the ports by the score
We'd sacked every town and each ship that we'd crossed
Taken their booty and left them to rot

'Twas with fear in my gut that the jury stood up
And their verdict was not a surprise
Then the sentence passed down, from the judge and the crown
With a cruel sort of glint in his eyes

CHORUS

All those nights spent sleeping beneath the stars
Now they've been replaced with chains and with bars
All my riches and fame have been taken away
And replaced with a dread, for a buccaneer's life have I lead


On the gallows I stand, soon I'll take up death's hand
Then three times I'll be washed by the sea
With my corpse bathed in tar, I'll serve warning to all
That death's coming to pirates like me

CHORUS

I was free for so long
But I did too much shit wrong
Now the rope's 'neath my chin
Take my final breath in
Now I'm Dancing the Hempen Rope Jig