How I regret that awful day,
I left me wife and sailed away
Now I today my life will lose
Around me neck they'll put a noose

But when I'm swinging from that rope
I won't cry although I choke.
Oh no I'll smile 'cause finally
I will be free, I will be free!

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!

Rather than in the navy spend me life,
I wished fer it to end.
But a catholic can't afford
To take his life 'n smite the Lord

So I did bad, I misbehaved,
In hope the crown would let me pay.
Would they sentence me to die,
Me soul in hell it wouldn't fry.

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!
So I invoked the Krakens curse
And I stole the watchman's purse,
Kicked the first mate in the nuts
And then confessed, I spilled me guts.

They locked me up in hope I'd crack,
Had the cat dance on me back.
N' they hauled me 'round the keel,
But me life they wouldn't steal.

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!

So then I stabbed our captain dead
I thought fer sure they'd have me head.
But I just spurred a mutiny
They fer me help promoted me.

So as new watchman that same night,
Seal our fate I thought I might,
As a corsair fleet approached from west,
I didn't warn the rest.

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!
And they were quiet as small mice
As they took us by surprise.
Sixty three Brits where killed right there,
But me they chose to spare.

They said – "Your Irish, so are we.
We'll save yer life, we'll set you free.
Just denounce them Brits and join our crew"
God save king Charles and go fuck you!

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!

How I regret that awful day,
I enrolled and sailed away,
No I today me life will lose,
Around me neck they've put a noose.

From where I'm swinging, down below
I see the deck and 'ere I go!
Oh what a joy, Oh finally
I will be free, I will be free!

Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
'Cause life at sea is not fer me!