No future was there in London Town 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 out for the west indies,
And soon we would be trapped into the winds of piracy.
We spied sails on the horizon and we tried to make a run,
The pirates raised a black flag and our running it was done,
When those pirates boarded us they told us one by one,
"You can die or join me 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,
Our voyage will be over soon enough,
Time flies when you're having rum,
With a pistol to my forehead,
Well 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 join them for the promises
Of adventure, rum and gold.
The quartermaster handed me a compass and a gun,
And as I signed their articles the captain told me "Son,
Us gentlemen make a fortune living 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,
Our voyage will be over soon enough,
Time flies when you're having rum.
For two long years I sailed with them,
Across the Spanish Main,
We capture ships from Portugal,
From England, France and Spain,
We took what we could and we give 'em back,
For that's the pirate's code,
And in our wake the Caribbean Sea ran red with blood.
The admiralty in London sent a fleet to hunt us down,
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,
Our 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 be given and we turned an' speced an' done,
We got off when good broadside,
But outnumbered ten to one,
They took out half our crew,
And our piracy was done.
They took us back to London Town,
Under key and lock.
The hangman's noose was swinging from the execution dock.
The captain turned and said to me, "We had fine sailing son,
The voyage 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,
Our voyage will be over soon enough,
Time flies when you're having rum.
Now as you've listened to this tale by know,
I'm sure you have surmised.
That I slipped the hangman's cable,
And escaped him with my life.
But how I got away,
That's another story son,
My voyaging days ain'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,
Our voyage will be over soon enough,
Time flies when you're having rum.