Lyrics

Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)

We pillage, we 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, we pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!
Maraud and embezzle and even hijack.
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate’s life for me.

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite.
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!
We burn up the city, we’re really a fright.
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate’s life for me.

We’re rascals, scoundrels, villains and knaves.
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!
We’re devils and black sheep, really bad eggs!
Drink up me ‘earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate’s life for me.

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!

Song Notes

Anyone who has been to visit The Mouse in California or Florida knows this tune and the thrilling memories it conjures up. “Dead Men Tell No Tales!”

A group called, The Toucan Pirates actually obtained permission to perform this song.  It is the only group that I know that has done this.

It should be noted that the “Yo Ho” part of this song (1967) pays homage to “Derelict” written by Young E. Allison for a Broadway musical (1901), itself based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s (1881) “Treasure Island.” Three generations of myth that pirates went “Arrr” and “Yo Ho Ho! — Dean Calin