Tom: Dm Dm Dm C Dm No future was there in London for a poor man’s son like me G A So I left my home and went to seek my fortune on the sea Dm C Dm I signed aboard a merchant ship bound for the West Indies G F Dm And six weeks out we tacked into the winds of pyracy Dm C Dm There were sails on the horizon, and we tried to make a run G A And when we saw that black flag, then our runnin’ it was done Dm C Dm And when those pyrates boarded us, they told us one by one G F Dm “You can die or join our crew, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!” [Chorus] Dm C Dm Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum G A When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns Dm C Dm When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb G F Dm The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum Dm C Dm With a pistol to my forehead, then my choice was all too clear G A I took leave of that merchant ship and became a buccaneer Dm C Dm And though they spared my life, I think that if the truth be told G F Dm I joined them for the promise of adventure, rum, and gold Dm C Dm The quartermaster handed me a cutlass and a gun G A And as I signed their articles, the captain told me, “Son, Dm C Dm Us gentlemen o’ fortune live life fast ’n’ on the run G F Dm So step right up and takes your share, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!” [Chorus] Dm C Dm Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum G A When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns Dm C Dm When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb G F Dm The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum Dm C Dm For two long years I sailed with them around the Spanish Main G A And we captured ships from Portugal, from England, France, and Spain Dm C Dm And we took what we could and we gave none back, for that’s the pyrates’ code G F Dm And the wake we left in the Caribbean Sea ran red with blood Dm C Dm Now the admiralty in London sent a fleet to hunt us down G A And a traitor in Port Royale told them where we could be found Dm C Dm They surrounded us in Nassau, the captain shouted, “Let ’em come! G F Dm The fight’ll be over soon enough, times flyes when you’re havin’ rum!” [Chorus] Dm C Dm Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum G A When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns Dm C Dm When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb G F Dm The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum Dm C Dm We ran the red flag up and then we readied all our guns G A No quarter would we give, and in return expected none Dm C Dm We got off one good broadside but outnumbered 10 to 1 G F Dm They took out half our crew and then our pyrating was done Dm C Dm They took us back to London town under key and lock G A And the hangman’s noose was swingin’ at the Execution Dock Dm C Dm The captain turned ’n’ said to me, “We had fine sailin’, son, G F Dm The voyage it was over all too soon, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum!” [Chorus] Dm C Dm Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum G A When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns Dm C Dm When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb G F Dm The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum (Slower) Dm C Dm Now as you listen to this tale, by now, I’m sure you have surmised G A That I slipped the hangman’s cable and escaped him with my life Dm C Dm But how I got away, well that’s another story, son (Faster) G F Dm My voyages they aren’t over yet, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum! [Chorus] (x2) Dm C Dm Time flyes when you’re havin’ rum, me boys, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum G A When you’re sailin’ under the black flag, and you’re firin’ all your guns Dm C Dm When you take a Spanish treasure ship, you divide by the rule of thumb G F Dm The voyage’ll be over soon enough, time flyes when you’re havin’ rum