The Warning

from X Marks the Spot by The Jolly Rogers

/

lyrics

It was just another day of drink in this salty, sea-side bar
The rafters creaked like broken masts that had seen their final gale
Old sailors at their drinks hung like torn rigging from the spar
Where once saltwater ran their veins, now there’s naught but rum and ale.
And in a darkened corner lit by oily candle light
The Young Man sat with the Last Pirate around their mugs of swill
The Pirate smiled his toothless grin, a drunken haggard sight
“You don’t want to be a pirate, lad, your soul can’t pay the bill.”
“You’ll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, Davey Jones will know your name
You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn with thirst, you’ll have no home or love
Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless, dirty game
If the gold you seek don’t drag you down, you’ll hang from up above.
Pressed into service by the Crown, ‘neath the lash I earned my wage
We tasted the Captain’s cruelty, his life I vowed to claim
I slipped my dagger ‘tween his ribs and the crew unleashed their rage
I raised the flag, black as night, and all men feared my name.
[CHORUS]
I slaughtered my way across the seas, I laughed in the face of God
Innocent blood was the Devil’s due, a bargain made for greed.
And in the holds of our taken ships, I stood and stared in awe,
As I cracked their keels in my hands, it was gold that they would bleed.
[CHORUS]
I never knew the softened touch of a woman who wanted me
Her eyes would never beckon, her voice would never console
I’d roll into port and with my coin I’d silence any plea
I took the women I wanted, and if they wouldn’t sell, I stole.”
[CHORUS]
The Pirate’s smile widened as a gale knocked on the door
As the wind blew in, the setting sun it gave a blood-red tide
In the arms of the wind the Young Man stood and was drawn across the floor
And down to the sea he danced, with adventure in his mind
The wind swirled ‘round the room, and as it blew back out to sea
The Old Man’s eyes held the flame as the candle light went dark
Now there’s one to carry on His vile and hateful deeds
Old Scratch just laughed as he faded away, for another bore his mark.
“You’ll wash the decks with your blood, me boy, and I will know your name
You’ll freeze, you’ll starve, you’ll burn in Hell, you’ll have no home or love
Only fight and flight will be your life, it’s a pointless sinner’s game
And I’ll be there to tie the noose when you hang from up above.”

credits

from X Marks the Spot, released September 1, 2003

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The Jolly Rogers Kansas City, Missouri

Pirates before pirates were cool. The Jolly Rogers were born as the Earth still cooled, waaaay back in 1991. Bringing maritime music, sea shanties, drinking and bawdy songs to audiences before pirates were all the rage, they've been a main stage act at venues across America and Europe. ... more

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