Let nobody tell you that shanties aren’t awesome, because they are. Another one of my exercises while walking back from a session. This isn’t based on any events that I know of, but I can believe that it happened – sending a section of criminals or whoever to plunder for the king, then killing them to avoid paying them seems like a crazy idea which might have worked.
lyrics
Haul away boys, haul away
Haul away for Rosie!
Haul away boys, haul away
We're rolling down to Rio
Thirty men were homeward bound
Haul away for Rose!
Never saw their dear sweet town
We're rolling down to Rio
Sank a week from when they sailed
Haul away for Rosie!
And now few mourn their sad tale
We're rolling down to Rio
Those brave boys sailed for the king
Haul away for Rosie!
And they damn near lost everything
We're rolling down to Rio
Betrayed by lust for jewels and gold
Haul away for Rosie!
Their ship sunk with an empty hold
We're rolling down to Rio
The king he lies he takes the lot
Haul away for Rosie!
Hopes the tales will be forgot
We're rolling down to Rio
But we know of the General's greed
Haul away for Rosie!
And we sang of those dreadful deeds
We're rolling down to Rio
Sent to Bedlam for our crimes
Haul away for Rosie!
Our singing of these dreadful times
We're rolling down to Rio
We're still sane and singing strong
Haul away for Rosie!
Pray to God he'll hear these wrongs
We're rolling down to Rio
General says at morn we'll hang
Haul away for Rosie!
For the lies we all have sang
We're rolling down to Rio
General says we'll rot in hell
Haul away for Rosie!
But if we do he will as well
We're rolling down to Rio