Ravenscroft was also the vocalist of the song "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the Christmas television special based on the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, although his name was accidentally left off of the credits, leading many to believe (erroneously) that the cartoon's narrator, Boris Karloff, sang the song. He also sang "No Dogs Allowed" in the Peanuts animated motion picture Snoopy Come Home.
His voice is also heard in many Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions. He also provided narration on the original Pirates of the Caribbean vinyl recording, as well as singing several pirate-themed songs.
Yo Ho
Thurl Ravenscroft Lyrics
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We pillage 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 and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
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.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
Thurl Ravenscroft's song "Yo Ho" is a classic pirate chantey that describes the adventurous and unscrupulous life of pirates. The song describes various activities that pirates engage in, such as pillaging, plundering, looting, kidnapping, ravaging, extorting, filching, sacking, marauding, embezzling, hijacking, kindling, charring, inflaming, and igniting. The pirates are portrayed as rascals, scoundrels, villains, knaves, devils, black sheep, and really bad eggs. They are beggars, blighters, and ne'er do-well cads who live a life of freedom and adventure at sea.
The chorus of the song, "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," is repeated after each verse and serves as a rallying cry for the pirates. The song is full of imagery that conveys the dangerous and exciting life of pirates. The pirates are depicted as fearless and unafraid of the consequences of their actions. The final verse suggests that even though the pirates are outcasts and criminals, they are still loved by their families.
Overall, Thurl Ravenscroft's song "Yo Ho" presents a romanticized view of piracy that ignores the violence and brutality associated with the practice. The song paints the pirates as lovable rogues who live life on their own terms and do whatever they please. While the song is catchy and fun to sing, it should not be taken as a realistic portrayal of pirate life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We choose to live as pirates and embark on a life of crime at sea.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
We steal goods and valuable items by force, and search through places for loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Let's celebrate and drink together, my pirate friends.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
We abduct and assault people and show no care or concern for their feelings or safety.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
We demand money or goods from people and steal them, take things without permission, and attack and plunder.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
We attack and rob people on land, take money or property by deceit, and steal vehicles by force.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
We set fires and burn buildings and other things to the ground.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
We have caused destruction and chaos in the city and are very scary to behold.
We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
We are dishonest and immoral people that commit crimes regularly and have no respect for the law or others.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
We are seen as evil and outcast individuals who are inclined towards disruption and trouble.
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
We are beggars that ruin people and put them in danger, and we are individuals that don't ever do good but do the opposite.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Our parents love us even though we are pirates who commit criminal acts.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We are proud and content to live as pirates and commit crimes as a way of life.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Xavier Atencio, George Edward Bruns
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind