Ray the Rum Pirate Style: Irish Sea Shanty / Celtic Jig Tempo: Fast, upbeat, 6/8 jig feel Instruments: Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Accordion, Bodhrán, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Drum, Male Gang Vocals Verse 1 Well Ray was a pirate from the wild west shore, With a patch on his eye and a thirst for more, He’d sail through the mist where the sea birds cry, With a barrel of rum and the black flag high! The wind it blew and the waves rolled free, As he danced on the deck of the Emerald Sea, The lads all cheered and the girls all sang, When Ray cried out and the tankards rang! Chorus Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Fill up your cups and away we go! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! We’re the wild Irish pirates of Galway Bay! Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Sing to the wind where the cold seas blow! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! Raise your glass for Ray today! Verse 2 There was rum in the hold and rum in the mast, And enough for the crew till the voyage was past, The moon shone bright on the rolling foam, And every wave felt just like home. From Cork to Howth and Donegal too, Every harbour knew Ray and his crew, For they’d trade a song for a keg of gold, And a tale of pirates brave and bold! Chorus Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Fill up your cups and away we go! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! We’re the wild Irish pirates of Galway Bay! Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Sing to the wind where the cold seas blow! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! Raise your glass for Ray today! Bridge Oh the sea may rage and the storm may roar, But Ray fears neither wave nor shore, For a pirate’s heart beats strong and true, With Irish blood running through and through! Instrumental Jig Break (Fiddle and whistle lead with crowd shouting “HEY!” every fourth bar) Final Chorus Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Fill up your cups and away we go! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! We’re the wild Irish pirates of Galway Bay! Rum on the deck, boys, rum below! Sing till the morning cockerel crows! Hey-ho, fiddle-dee-ay! Three cheers for Pirate Ray! Outro So if you’re sailing where the wild winds play, You’ll hear the songs of old Ray, With a laugh, a cheer, and a mug held high— “More rum, me lads!” was Ray’s last cry! HEY!
