The Last Saskatchewan Pirate
View chords used in this chart
C F G C
Well I used to be a farmer and I made a living fine
F C G
I had a little stretch of land along the CP line
C F G C
But the times went by and though I tried the money wasn't there
F C G C
And bankers came and took my land and told me fair is fair
Am D
I looked for every kind of job the answer always no,
Am G
Hire you now they'd always laugh, we just let twenty go
Am D
The government, they promised me a measly little sum
Am G
But I've got too much pride to end up just another bum
BRIDGE:
F C
Then I thought who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone,
D G
I'm gonna be a pirate on the River Saskatchewan
CHORUS:
C C F G C
cause it's a Heave! (Ho!) High! (Ho!) Coming down the plains
F C G
Stealing wheat and barley and all the other grains
C C F G C
And it's a Ho! (Hey!) High! (Hey!) Farmers bar your doors
F C G C
When you see the Jolly Rogger on Regina's mighty shores
Well you'd think the local farmers would know that I'm at large
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge
I snuck up right behind them and they were none the wiser
I rammed the ship and sank it, and I stole their fertilizer
A bridge outside of Moose Jaw spans the mighty river
Farmers cross in so much fear their stomachs are a quiver
Cause they know that Tractor Jack is hiding in the bay
I'll jump the bridge and knock 'em cold and sail off with the hay
CHORUS
Well Mounty Bob, he chased me, he was always at my throat
He'd follow on the shore line cause he didn't own a boat
But cutbacks were a comin' so the Mountie lost his job
and now he's sailin' with me and we call him "Salty Bob"
A swinging sword a scum 'n bones and pleasant company
I never pay my income tax, and screw the GST (Screw It!)
Prince Albert down to Saskatoon, the terror of the sea,
If you want to reach the Co-Op boy, you gotta get by me
Chorus
Well pirate life's appealing, but you don't just find it here
I've heard that in Alberta there's a band of buckeneers
They roam the Athabasca, and sail to Fort McKay
And you're gonna loose your Stetson and if you have to pass their way
Well winter is a comin' and the chill is in the breeze
My pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze
I'll be back in springtime, but now I have to go
I hear there's lots of plundering down in New Mexico
CHORUS Twice
When you see the jolly roger on Regina's mighty shore
How to play The Last Saskatchewan Pirate
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.