The boat rides south of Ailsa Craig
in the waning of the light.
There’s thirty men in Lendalfit
to make our burden light,
And there’s thirty horse in Hazleholm
with the halters on their heads.
All set this night up on your life
if wind and water speed.
Smugglers drink of the Frenchmens wine,
and the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we ran from the excise man,
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!
Oh lass you have a cozy bed,
and cattle you have ten.
Can you not live a lawful life?
And live with lawful men?
But must I use old homely goods,
while there’s foreign gear so fine?
Must I drink at the waterside,
and France so full of wine
Smugglers drink of the Frenchmens wine,
and the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we ran from the excise man,
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!
Though well I like to see you Kate,
with a baby on your knee
My heart is now with that gallant crew,
that ploughs through the angry sea.
It’s the bitter gale, the tightest sail, the sheltered bay or goal,
it’s the wayward life, it’s the smugglers strife,
it’s the joy of the smugglers soul!
Smugglers drink of the Frenchmens wine,
and the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we ran from the excise man,
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!
And when at last the dawn comes up,
and the cargo safely stored,
like sinless saints to church we’ll go,
God’s mercy to afford.
And it’s champagne fine for communion wine,
and the parson drinks it too,
with a sly wink prays «forgive these men,
for they know not what they do.
Smugglers drink of the Frenchmens wine,
and the darkest night is the smugglers time.
Away we ran from the excise man,
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!
It’s a smugglers life for me!