If you buy me a drink then I'll sing you a tale
Of heroes forgotten
You want them to win but sometimes heroes fail
Their stories untold

The Captain, he loved his ship and his crew
The Captain, they thought that he was brave and true
He came from a family made famous by war
He carried with honor his grandfather's sword

With their hold full of treasure, they sailed for home
Their families were waiting
When a sail to the west told them they weren't alone
The sail drew closer

The obvious choice was to fight or to run
With far too much cargo and not enough guns
A single shot landed just yards from their bow
Raise the white flag, he said, right goddamned now

Our cargo is yours if you leave us in peace
The Captain said gently
The Pirate commander just spat in his face
And then took his sword

He said "I don't parley with cowards like you"
The Pirate then ran the cabin boy through
The Captain's rage flickered, then gave way to fear
His pants wet with urine, his face wet with tears

The Pirate he laughed, and said "I'll let you choose"
"I can spare your life, or I'll spare your crew"
The Captain's head turned, he closed his eyes
But he still heard the screams as all his men died

He heard a sword clatter in front of his knees
His grandfather's sword
The Pirate said "Finish the job if you please,
This last one's for you"

The Captain, he picked up the sword in his hand
He stabbed through the heart and he killed his first man
The Pirate just scowled and said, "You make me ill
A man with no courage gets other men killed"

I'm sorry I cried while I sang you this tale
I feel so ashamed
But the ghosts that have haunted me for far too long
Demand that I sing it