Unfortunately, the song isn’t entirely happy, we are talking about pirates here – raping and pillaging were their specialties – and when it comes to men loving men, there are no exceptions. Yes, there are adorable lines like, “You’re my land ahoy/ Yeah, you’re my boy,” and “And I hope they didn’t tie up/Your hands as tight as mine,” but the pirates get forced to walk the plank because of their ‘un-natural’ desire for one another.

The song is laced with romance and homophobic oppression alongside the mystery of pirates. With a sad yet memorable ending, the song the song is defiantly a favourite of mine. I recommend it to anyone, especially those who love pirates and homosexuals.

A friend of mine introduced the song to me, singing the opening line of the chorus, “Yo ho, Sebastian/Let’s go far away,” before telling me I had to listen to song, or else. I obliged and weeks later I bought it off of iTunes with the whole of Ke$ha’s Animal + Cannibal (Deluxe Edition) and a few other songs I stumbled across (Don’t judge me; I know my music taste is terrible). Said friend’s girlfriend later ‘seduced’ me with Gay Pirates, in front of an eager audience while another friend of ours played the unmistakable chords on his guitar. As soon as I first heard it, albeit, in the middle of a busy street with only one earphone in, I knew the song was magical and I’ve loved it ever since.

Occasionally, while my iPod is on shuffle and I’m walking around the house or town or another such place, Gay Pirates will start playing, forcing me to stop, flail my arms happily, and smile like that five year old, once again. 

Watch the video here: