Prompt / Lyrics
(Call – Shantyman) Ohhh what d’you do when the black flag shows? (Response – Crew) DRINK IT DOWN! (Call) What d’you do when the cannon blows? (Response) DRINK IT DOWN! (All) Heave away, haul away, pass that grog around, When Black Beard’s sail hits the horizon line— DRINK IT DOWN! ⸻ (Verse 1 – Call & Response) Call: We were fat with gold and lazy with rum— Crew: DRINK IT DOWN! Call: Thought the devil’d never come— Crew: DRINK IT DOWN! All: Then the wind went dead and the sea turned black, Lanterns burned in a bearded stack, Chains went slack and the crew went pale— DRINK IT DOWN! ⸻ (Chorus – Big, Drunken Stomp) 🎶 Yo ho, HEAVE and HAUL! Black Beard takes treasure, clothes and all! Coin or crown, it’s his by right, Sing it loud or die tonight! 🎶 ⸻ (Verse 2 – Sloppier, Faster) Call: Who’s got fire in his beard and death in his grin? Crew: BLACK BEARD! Call: Who boards your ship without cuttin’ skin? Crew: BLACK BEARD! All: No blood on deck, just piss and fear, Men jump ship when the smoke draws near, Give him gold and he lets you breathe— DRINK IT DOWN! ⸻ (Bridge – Total Chaos / Overlapping Shouts) Shantyman: Who owns the tide?! Crew: BLACK BEARD! Shantyman: Who drinks your rum?! Crew: BLACK BEARD! Shantyman: Who laughs last when the night’s gone numb?! Crew: BLACK BEARD! BLACK BEARD! ⸻ (Verse 3 – Half Sung, Half Yelled) Call: Spanish gold and English pay— Crew: DRINK IT DOWN! Call: French silk gone by break of day— Crew: DRINK IT DOWN! All: From bow to stern he strips you bare, Leaves you a story and a prayer, If you see that sail, turn and run— DRINK IT DOWN! ⸻ (Final Chorus – Fast, Slurred, Repeating) 🎶 Yo ho, HEAVE and HAUL! Black Beard takes treasure, crew and all! Gold goes up and guts go cold, Sing it drunk or lose your gold! 🎶 (repeat, faster, messier) ⸻ (Outro – Crew Fading, Mug Slams) Heave… (heave!) Haul… (haul!) No man cheats the sea or fate— When Black Beard comes… IT’S TOO DAMN LATE!
Tags
a traditional call-and-response pirate shanty, meant to be yelled, stomped, and sung off-key.
Duration
3:07
Instrumental
No
Created
12/16/2025