[Chorus] So sing ye praises to the sea Where lives a breed of scallywags and thieves An' pray they spare a shillin' or a bone To bribe St. Peter for to take ye home [Verse] Sing not to golden angels Nor to stars up in the sky Nor to a seven-headed beast that rises from the tide For it is not by holy men that ye will be condemned Nay 'tis the Devil's Navy Will send ye to the end [Chorus] So sing ye praises to the sea Where lives a breed of scallywags and thieves An' pray they spare a shillin' or a bone To bribe St. Peter for to take ye home [Verse 2] An' I shall heed me own advice when it comes time to go I'll pray to meet my fate at sea Not bound to stocks below Afore me final sentence I will not my judges face But set me sail to starboard To make me case [Chorus] So sing ye praises to the sea Where lives a breed of scallywags and thieves An' pray they spare a shillin' or a bone To bribe St. Peter for to take ye home [Verse 3] An' so it is me cross to bear to sing this song for you And be ye loyal subjects or a mutinous crew The briny depths will call to ye But if ye follow me Ye'll know the way to heaven 'Tis by the sea
