From Bimini to the Jersey Shore they ran their sacred mission To help the poor unfortunates, oppressed by the Prohibition When the Puritans in politics began to play their dirty tricks And outlaw every thing that we enjoy Rum boats ahoy We’re gonna get ourselves a drop of the Real McCoy
Chorus: Rum runner, rum runner Run your rum right up the line Rum runner, rum runner Rum, whiskey, gin and rye Run rum runners run We’re running dry We’re running dry
Three miles off the shoreline waits the infamous ‘Rum Row’ Well if it’s gambling, or girls, or drink you want just ask ‘Havana Joe’ You won’t be taxed so never mind, and once you’ve left the law behind You can have it all, whatever is your vice Just name your price It’s a free and easy floating paradise
(Chorus)
Well the boats come up from Charleston, and down from Gloucester Bay They’re giving out free samples boys, and the party’s underway Somebody brought a Calypso band, it’s loud enough to hear on land And the hold is filled with barrels fit to burst To quench our thirst If the excise cutters don’t get to it first
(Chorus)
The shore patrol is on the way, our machine gun's at the ready God help us if we need it now, our hands are none too steady Uncle Sam is closing in, to take our women, take our gin You’ve bled us dry with all your revenues What’s left to lose? You can take our lives but you’ll never take our booze