[Verse]
There's a full moon tonight and they're coming to shore,
With a cargo of finest French brandy,
And their torches are writing the path on the shore,
They'll be gone by the first light of dawn.

Not a voice can be heard as the loading is done,
There's a breeze blowing in from the ocean,
And the watch keeps his eyes on the winding coast road,
For the excisemen riding their way.

[Chorus]
Hurry now, lads, there's work to be done,
The clipper is waiting to finish her run,
There's no time to lose, for the tide's on the turn,
And we've got to be gone by the morning.

[Verse]
Well, down through the dunes he comes riding his horse,
His soldiers are spread on the headlands,
And melting like shadows, the smugglers have gone,
Safe with their brandy in store.

Then the morning tide washes the tracks from the shore,
And the exciseman curses in anger,
Then he turns on his horse, gives a shout of command,
Then he leads his men back to the town.

[Chorus]
Hurry now, lads, there's work to be done,
And the clipper is waiting to finish her run,
There's no time to lose, for the tide's on the turn,
And we've got to be gone by the morning.

[Verse]
There's a full moon tonight and they're heading for France,
For a cargo that's sure to bring plenty,
And the clipper is flying full sail in the wind,
They'll be safe by the first light of day.

[Chorus]
Hurry now, lads, there's work to be done,
And the clipper is waiting to finish her run,
There's no time to lose, for the tide's on the turn,
And we've got to be gone by the morning.

[Chorus]
Hurry now, lads, there's work to be done,
Where the clipper is waiting to finish her run,
There's no time to lose, for the tide's on the turn,
And we've got to be gone by the morning.