The boat rides on for Wilsa Craig,
in the wane and all the light.
There's thirty men in Landelfet to make our burden bright.
And there's thirty horses in
Hazel Home with the halters on their head.
Well,
can't this night upon your light,
if wind and water speak?
And the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we run from the excise man.
It's the
smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.
Can ye bear and can't ye eat and?
Can ye not live a lawful life and live with lawful men?
Must I use our haimlingers while the spawn and deer see fly?
Must I drink at the
water's side and frown the sea full of why?
And the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we run from the
excise man.
It's the smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.
Oh,
will I lie to say ye hate me,
the penny on thy knee?
But my heart is now with the gallant
crew that powed through the angry sea.
The
bitter gale,
the tightest sail, and the sheltered bay are go.
It's the wayward life,
it's the smugglers strife,
it's the joy of the smugglers soul.
Smugglers drink of the benjamins wife.
And the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we run from the excise man.
It's the smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.
And when
at last the dawn
comes up and the cargo's safely stored,
like sinless saints the church will go,
God's mercy to afford.
And the champagne fine for communion wine,
and the parson drinks it too.
With a sly wink praise,
forgive these men for they know not what they do.
Smugglers drink of the frenchman's wife.
And the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we run from the excise man.
It's the smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.
It's the smugglers life for me.