The Warning -

It was just another day of drink in this salty, sea-side bar

The rafters creaked like broken masts that had seen their final gale

Old sailors at their drinks hung like torn rigging from the spar

Where once saltwater ran their veins, now there’s naught but rum and ale.

And in a darkened corner lit by oily candle light

The Young Man sat with the Last Pirate around their mugs of swill

The Pirate smiled his toothless grin, a drunken haggard sight

«You don’t want to be a pirate, lad, your soul can’t pay the bill.»

«You'll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, Davey Jones will know your name

You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn with thirst, you’ll have no home or

love

Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless, dirty game

If the gold you seek don’t drag you down, you’ll hang from up above.

Pressed into service by the Crown, ‘neath the lash I earned my wage

We tasted the Captain’s cruelty, his life I vowed to claim

I slipped my dagger ‘tween his ribs and the crew unleashed their rage

I raised the flag, black as night, and all men feared my name.

«You'll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, Davey Jones will know your name

You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn with thirst, you’ll have no home or

love

Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless, dirty game

If the gold you seek don’t drag you down, you’ll hang from up above.

I slaughtered my way across the seas, I laughed in the face of God

Innocent blood was the Devil’s due, a bargain made for greed.

And in the holds of our taken ships, I stood and stared in awe,

As I cracked their keels in my hands, it was gold that they would bleed.

«You'll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, Davey Jones will know your name

You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn with thirst, you’ll have no home or

love

Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless, dirty game

If the gold you seek don’t drag you down, you’ll hang from up above.

I never knew the softened touch of a woman who wanted me

Her eyes would never beckon, her voice would never console

I’d roll into port and with my coin I’d silence any plea

I took the women I wanted, and if they wouldn’t sell, I stole."

«You'll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, Davey Jones will know your name

You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn with thirst, you’ll have no home or

love

Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless, dirty game

If the gold you seek don’t drag you down, you’ll hang from up above.

The Pirate’s smile widened as a gale knocked on the door

As the wind blew in, the setting sun it gave a blood-red tide

In the arms of the wind the Young Man stood and was drawn across the floor

And down to the sea he danced, with adventure in his mind

The wind swirled ‘round the room, and as it blew back out to sea

The Old Man’s eyes held the flame as the candle light went dark

Now there’s one to carry on His vile and hateful deeds

Old Scratch just laughed as he faded away, for another bore his mark.

«You'll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, and I will know your name

You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn in Hell, you’ll have no home or love

Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless sinner’s game

And I’ll be there to tie the noose when you hang from up above.»