a short and merry life

In case you didn't know, "a short and merry life" was the motto of the famous pirate Black Bart or Bartholomew Roberts. He was the most prolific pirate of all time. His career as a pirate lasted about three years, in which time he captures about 300 ships. (In comparison, Blackbeard was active six years and captured about 30 ships.) Black Bart knew that being a pirate was hazardous, which is why he adapted that motto - he knew his life would be short (it was) but he wanted it to be merry.