Come you all jolly mariners I love to talk up a dr’m Let’s go and seek Captain Ward Who from over the sea has come, He is the greater robber, as you shall quickly hear There’s not been such a robber found, These last six hundred years
The King got a letter on the Sixth of January Saying “Let captain ward come in with all his company” If you do let him in, as so his letter told, A ransom he will off you, of twenty tons of gold
“Ah no, no.” says the King. “That can never be” Captain Ward is a robber A robber on the sea
Well the King he has provided, a ship of noble fame Called the Royal Rainbow, if you would know her name She was as well provided for, as any ship could be With full five hundred men on board, to bear her company
When the Royal Rainbow came to where Captain Ward did lie “Who is the master of this ship” the Rainbow Crew did cry “The same man as I” cried Captain Ward Why shame on there will be. If you were the King’s best ship, you are welcome onto me
“Ah no, no.” says the King. “That can never be” Captain Ward is a robber A robber on the sea
For I never robbed an English ship, Just Frances ship and Spain’s and a Dutch-man as I met on the main For I had got a letter through Just two weeks or three I would have spared Lord Essex’ life Which pain me grievously
Six O’Clock in the morning, they did began to fight So they did continue, until nine o’clock at night “Fight on, Fight on!” said Captain Ward “So well it pleases me” If you fight until tomorrow, your master I will be
Then the Royal Rainbow fired all in vain Til’ four hundred of her crew Upon the deck lay slain “Go…Go home! Go home! Tell your King from me…” “He may be King of Land, but Ward is King of Sea
“Ah no, no.” says the King. “That can never be” Captain Ward is a robber A robber on the sea
“Ah no, no.” says the King. “That can never be” Captain Ward is a robber A robber on the sea
“Ah no, no.” says the King. “That can never be” Captain Ward is a robber A robber on the sea