Lyrics
[Intro][Fiddle][Male Vocalizations] [Verse 1] On the fourteenth of may, down in Frisco Bay Lay the ship, The Desperado! Bound for glory and salt sea spray Her colors she ran were of Pirate Mc'Kay. Now Captain Mc'kay was so crafty they say With his ship, The Desperado. He smoked from a pipe made of Portland clay As he chased his prize into Frisco Bay. [Chorus] Heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Desperado Heave her up and away we'll go around the Cape of Mexico [Verse 2] Her guns told true as they sailed the blue Sail away, The Desperado Her guns told true and were counted 22 As she blew their mast to Timbuktu Before she could claim her prize that day Came a ship, The Christiana! Before they could tow their prize away She came to fight 'ol Captain Mc'Kay [Chorus] Heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Desperado! Heave her up and away we'll go down past the Cape of Mexico [Instrumental Break] [Verse 3] Christiana chased far from any quay Chase away, The Desperado Christiana chased both night and day Intent on sinking 'ol Captain Mc'Kay Through storms and squalls and foggy nights Steal away, Desperado! With sails and rigging torn by shot and shell She looked as though she'd been through hell. [Chorus] Heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Desperado! Heave her up or we'll be laid low A deep silent grave several fathoms below! [Verse 4] Now Captain Mc'Kay had no chance they say 'gainst the ship, The Christiana! 'Ol Captain Mc'Kay had a hand to play against a ship whose guns beat his any day. One foggy night where no moon gave light. Slip away, Desperado! One moonless night in the dead of the night She furled her sails and kept them tight. [Chorus] Heave her up and away we'll run Heave away, Desperado! Make one sound and be blown to kingdom come for Christiana's crew is second to none! [Drum Break] [Bridge] So close did they pass you could kiss the mast, not a sound did they utter. Just one side held 50 ports for cannon crew which dwarfed their over all 22. Now legends say that they'd have slipped away Rest in peace, Desperado! They could have sailed away and returned to Frisco Bay Had Mc'Kay's ol pipe not given 'em away! [Verse 5] Now the cannons roared and each shot was scored 'gainst the hull, of Desperado! Her fate was told when one burrowed a hole Into her hold where powder was stowed. When the cannon smoke cleared there was raised a cheer On the decks of Christiana! When the cannon smoke cleared no one would shed a tear For the pirate whose deeds only brought more fear. [Pre Chorus] Some swear that on the waves, on a foggy day One might catch a glimpse of Captain Mc'Kay Smoking his pipe with fiendish delight While The Desperado sails with her rigging burning bright [Chorus] Heave her up and away we'll go Burn away, Desperado! Heave her up and away we'll go Sail straight to Hell and on we'll go! [Outro][Fiddle][Male Vocalizations]