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Version 1
[Verse]
C F G C
Well, I used to be a farmer and I made a living fine
F C G
I had a little stretch of land along the western line
C F G C
But times went by and though I tried the money wasn't there
F C G C
And bankers came and took my land and told me "Fair is Fair"
Am D
I looked for every kind of job, the answer always "No",
Am G
"Hire you now" they'd always laugh, "We just let twenty go!" (Haha)
Am D
The government, they promised me a measley little sum,
Am G
But I've got too much pride to end up just another bum! (bum)
F F C
Then I thought who gives a crap if all the jobs are gone,
G
I'm gonna be a pirate, on the river Severn!
[Chorus]
C C F G C
And it's a Heave (HO) High (HO) comin' down the plains,
F C G
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains,
C C F G C
And it's a Ho (HEY!) High (HEY!) farmers bar yer doors,
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Roger on the Severn's mighty shores.
(Repeat the first half of the chorus without lyrics once, then play C for two measures.)
C F G C
Well, you think the local farmers would know that I'm at large,
F C G
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge,
C F G C
I snuck up right behind them and they were none the wiser,
F C G C
I rammed the ship and sank it and I stole the fertilizer
Am D
A bridge outside of Bristol spans the mighty river,
Am G
Farmers cross in so much fear their stomachs are aquiver,
Am D
'Cause they know that Captain Tractor's hiding in the bay,
Am G
I'll jump the bridge and knock 'em cold and sail off with their hay!
[Chorus]
C C F G C
And it's a Heave (HO) High (HO) comin' down the plains,
F C G
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains,
C C F G C
And it's a Ho (HEY!) High (HEY!) farmers bar yer doors,
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Roger on the Severn's mighty shores.
C F G C
Well, Mountie Joshie chased me, he was always at my throat,
F C G
He followed on the shorelines 'cause he didn't own a boat,
C F G C
But cut-backs were a comin' and the Copper lost his job,
F C G C
So now he's sailin' with me and we call him Salty Josh!
Am D
A swingin' sword and skull and bones are pleasant company,
Am G
I never pay my income tax and screw the VAT (SCREW IT!)
Am D
Salin' down to Cheltenham, the Terror of the Sea,
Am G
If you wanna get to Tesco lad, you gotta get by me!
[Chorus]
C C F G C
And it's a Heave (HO) High (HO) comin' down the plains,
F C G
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains,
C C F G C
And it's a Ho (HEY!) High (HEY!) farmers bar yer doors,
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Roger on the Severn's mighty shores.
C F G C
Well pirate life's appealing but you don't just find it here,
F C G
I hear that up in Yorkshire there's a band of buccaneers,
C F G C
They roam the Yorkshire dales from Smith to Balleray,
F C G C
And you're gonna lose your flat cap if you have to pass their way.
Am D
Well, winter is a comin' and a chill is in the breeze,
Am G
My pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze,
Am D
But I'll be back in springtime but now I've got to fly,
Am G
I hear there's lots of plundering down in the Isle of White!
[Chorus]
C C F G C
And it's a Heave (HO) High (HO) comin' down the plains,
F C G
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains,
C C F G C
And it's a Ho (HEY!) High (HEY!) farmers bar yer doors,
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Roger on the Severn's mighty shores.
C C F G C
And it's a Heave (HO) High (HO) comin' down the plains,
F C G
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains,
C C F G C
And it's a Ho (HEY!) High (HEY!) farmers bar yer doors,
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Roger... on the Severn's mighty shores.