[Intro] [One rough male voice, alone, calm and almost amused] They say they’ll hang me at sunrise, So pour me one last cup, I’ve spent my life escaping ropes, Seems one has caught me up. [Verse 1] The judge called me a murderer, The priest called me depraved, The king’s man called me traitor, And asked if I’d be saved, I told him keep his heaven, I’ve seen what good men do, If paradise is full of them, I’ll take my chances too. [Chorus] Hang me at sunrise, Hang me if you can, I’ve robbed your ships and cursed your king, And lived a wanted man, Hang me at sunrise, Let every church bell ring, But I’ll die with salt still on my lips And no regret to bring. [Verse 2] The jailer asked what frightened me, I told him, “Dying slow,” He laughed and said, “The rope is quick.” I said, “Then let me go.” He called me dog and pirate, I called him underpaid, He nearly smiled before he left, Which almost made my day. [Verse 3] They offered me confession, A Bible and a chair, I asked instead for brandy, And someone cut my hair, The priest said, “Son, repent your sins.” I told him, “Which ones first?” He stayed an hour naming them, By God, that man was worse. [Chorus] Hang me at sunrise, Hang me if you can, I’ve robbed your ships and cursed your king, And lived a wanted man, Hang me at sunrise, Let every church bell ring, But I’ll die with salt still on my lips And no regret to bring. [Bridge] [Lead voice lower and more reflective] I’ve buried friends without a stone, And watched good ships go down, I’ve slept beneath a foreign moon With blood upon my crown, I’ve lied for gold and fought for rum, And loved where I should flee, But every wrong I chose myself, And every choice was me. [Verse 4] At dawn they march me through the town, The crowd is ten men deep, Some spit my way, some cheer my name, Some mothers make theirs weep, The hangman checks his careful knot, The sheriff reads the law, I look beyond their little square And see the harbour far. [Final Chorus] [Lead begins alone, rough male choir gradually joins in harmony] Hang me at sunrise, Hang me if you must, You’ll feed my bones to church
