Almost silent were the footfalls
As we trudged up through the chine
With the booty on our shoulders,
We came two at a time.

Straight on into the village
Came we silent troop of thieves,
Making for the `Cutlass Arms'
To hide our `takings' in the eaves.

Revenue Men were not in sight
As we slunk into the Inn,
We hoped somewhere they had lost the trail
And not picked it up again.

The room stank of the puffin' pipes
And each face to us was turned,
But we'd know'd  they were most our friends
And we would not be spurned.

The Landlord bade us welcome
And led us from the bar,
To where the loft was waiting,
To receive the plunder brought so far.

We stashed the spirit and sacks of silk
Deep within the roof,
We gave two kegs to the landlord
Black Rum, a hundred proof.

John Slade who led us thieving band
A murderous swine was he
Said, "When thee goes to quench yourn thirst,
Be careful Lads, to see
Not one of thee does flap his tongue
And tell of what be yer,
For then I shall cut `is tongue out,
Or slit `is throat from ear to ear"

We marked his words and the look he gave
For all of us, well knew,
Traitorous talk he did not abide,
And he had done to death a few.

Soon into the blackened night we slunk
And went our various way,
Some back to their homes and kin,
Some to hide away.

I goes back to my Sister's `ome
And rattled hard the door,
Meg opened it with muttered oath,
Then spat on the dusty floor.

"Thee came back then Tom, ye wayward scum,"
She gave I such a glower,
"What `ave thee done that bring thee `ere
At this ungodly hour?"

"Hush you up, my Sister, dear,
For it be my usual plight,
I'll give thee silk and a jug of rum
For succor on this night"

"Come in, damn thee, for thee be my kin,
But I'll not hang for thee,
If Rev'nue Men, do knock this night,
I'll give thee up, just see!"