The Gael...Time Flies
Pirates for Sail Lyrics
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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,
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.
The lyrics to "The Gael" by Pirates For Sail tell the story of a poor man's son who leaves London Town to seek his fortune at sea. He signs aboard a merchant ship bound for the West Indies, but they soon fall into the hands of pirates. The pirates give the crew members the ultimatum of joining them or dying. The singer chooses to become a buccaneer and enjoys two years of adventure and rum before being captured by the British navy.
The song explores the idea that time flies when you're having fun, or drinking rum in this case. The pirate lifestyle is portrayed as exciting and filled with adventure, but ultimately dangerous and fleeting. The singer regrets being unable to continue his life as a pirate, recognizing that the voyage was over too soon.
The lyrics also touch on the pirate's code, which involves taking from those who have the most to give and dividing the loot equally amongst the crew. However, it also acknowledges the harsh reality that sometimes piracy leads to bloodshed and loss of life.
Overall, "The Gael" tells a classic tale of the lure of adventure and the consequences that come with it. It also highlights the importance of living life to the fullest, even if it's only for a short period of time.
Line by Line Meaning
No future was there in London Town for a poor man's son like me,
London Town held no opportunity for a boy of my birth
So I left my home and I went to seek my fortune on the sea,
I set sail to find my luck at sea
I signed aboard a merchant ship out for the west indies,
I joined a merchant vessel for the West Indies
and soon we would be trapped into the winds of piracy.
But soon we were forced into piracy when we were intercepted by other pirates
We spied sails on the horizon and we tried to make a run,
We saw ships in the distance and attempted to flee
The pirates raised a black flag and our running it was done,
But the pirates hoisted their black flag, and we were captured
When those pirates boarded us they told us one by one,
After they boarded our ship, they gave us a choice:
"You can die or join me crew me boys,
either to die or to join their crew.
Time flies when you're having rum!"
Time passes quickly when you enjoy rum!
With a pistol to my forehead,
With a gun pointed at me,
well my choice was all too clear,
my decision was obvious
I took leave of that merchant ship and became a buccaneer,
So I left the merchant ship to become a pirate
and though they spared my life I think that if the truth be told,
Although my life was spared, I must admit that
i'd join them for the promises of adventure, rum and gold.
the prospect of adventure, rum, and gold was too tempting.
The quartermaster handed me a compass and a gun,
The quartermaster gave me a compass and a firearm
and as I signed their articles the captain told me "Son,
As I signed their documents, the captain said to me,
us gentlemen make a fortune living fast and on the run,
"We are lucky pirates and we make our fortunes quickly,
so step right up and take your share,
so come and take part in the spoils with us.
For two long years I sailed with them,
I spent two years journeying with them
across the Spanish Main,
through the Spanish waters
We capture ships from Portugal, from England, France and Spain,
We captured vessels from Portugal, England, France, and Spain
we took what we could and we give 'em back,
We took what we could and often returned them to the sea afterward
for that's the pirate's code,
for that is the code of pirates
and in our wake the Caribbean Sea ran red with blood.
Our piracy left the Caribbean Sea stained with blood
The admiralty in London sent a fleet to hunt us down,
The British navy was sent to find and capture us
a traitor in Port Royal told them where we could be found,
A traitor in Port Royal led them to our location
they surrounded us and that's when the captain shouted,
They surrounded us, and the captain called out,
"Let 'em come! The fight will be over soon enough,
"Let them come! The battle will end soon enough,
they took out half our crew, and our piracy was done.
But they took out half of our crew and ended our piracy era
They took us back to London Town, under key and lock.
They brought us to London and locked us up
The hangman's noose was swinging from the execution dock.
We awaited execution on the hangman's noose
The captain turned and said to me, "We had fine sailing son,
The captain turned to me and remarked,
the voyage was over all too soon, time flies when you're having rum."
"The journey ended abruptly, but time flies when you're drinking rum."
Now as you've listened to this tale by know,
Now that you have heard my story
I'm sure you have surmised.
I'm certain you have concluded.
That I slipped the hangman's cable,
That I escaped the hangman's noose
and escaped him with my life.
and saved my own life.
But how I got away,
But that is another story
That's another story son,
That another story, my child,
my voyaging days ain't over yet,
my days of adventure on the sea are not yet done,
time flies when you're having rum!
time passes like a breeze when you're drinking rum.
Contributed by Savannah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.