Long before “Rickrolling” was a thing, George Harrison quite amusingly teased the musical opening to “My Sweet Lord” onstage with his band before launching into a jolly rendition of an original “Pirate Song”.
I want to be a pirate
A pirate’s life for me
All my friends are pirates
And sail the B.B. Sea
I’ve got a Jolly Roger
It’s black and white and vast
Get out of your skull and crossbones
And I’ll run it up your mast
This hilarious event occurred during the 1975 Rutland Weekend Television Christmas Special for which Harrison’s good friend Eric Idle was the host.
As it turns out, Harrison was in character as “Pirate Bob” throughout the show, cajoling both Idle and writer Neil Innes for a pirate sketch that year. When he didn’t get his way, Harrison decided to make one of his own.
