For seven years we scoured the seven seas
And at our mast we flew the Jolly Roger
We learned to mend our ship in storm or breeze
And if a plank were sprung, by Christ we’d bodge her!

Now the navy’s firing shots across our bows 
The sea’s dead calm; the crew is all hung-over
But the captain merely smiles at us and vows:
It isn’t over until it’s over!

The flagship frigate turns herself broadside
And clouds of smoke start pouring from her scuppers
Audaciously our cannons then reply
Destruction! Death! They’re singing for their suppers!

We’ve been through worse; it looks like our luck’s in
But storms are brewing; and we’re holed, moreover.
The captain shouts above the hellish din:
- It isn’t over until it’s over!

Through telescopes a hundred glaring eyes
Spy us grey and smoky from our sallies
But they will never view us in the guise
Of slaves chained up to oars in navy galleys!

We’ve been outgunned! Our ship is going to sink!
We’ll never get to see the cliffs of Dover!
But our captain doesn’t ever even blink!
- It isn’t over until it’s over!

Who wants to live, who’s merry, keep your grip -
And prepare yourself for vicious cutthroat fighting!
We’ll let the rats get off the sinking ship -
We can do without them at our ankles biting!

The rats were thinking that the captain lied
Abandon ship! They all died sober!
But we heave to along the frigate’s side.
- It isn’t over until it’s over!

Knife to cutlass, fist to gullet, eye to eye!
Lest we be food for octopus or conger,
Our pistols and our sabers make them cry, -
Their vessel won’t be floating for much longer!

But it’s not meant to be, she won’t go down
She’ll carry us to port - we’ll be in clover
For the ocean never lets the sailor drown
Who doesn’t say it’s over... until it’s over.