The Mariner's Revenge Song Lyrics

Performed by The Decemberists

We are two mariners
Our ships' sole survivors
In this belly of a whale

Its ribs are ceiling beams
Its guts are carpeting
I guess we have some time to kill

You may not remember me
I was a child of three
And you, a lad of eighteen

But I remember you
And I will relate to you
How our histories enterweave

At the time you were
A rake and a roustabout
Spending all your money
On the whores and hounds
Oh Ohhhhh

You had a charming air
All cheap and debonair
My widowed mother found so sweet

And so she took you in
Her sheets still warm with him
Now filled with filth and foul disease

As time wore on you proved
A debt-ridden drunken mess
Leaving my mother
A poor consumptive wretch
Oh Ohhhhh

And then you disappeared
Your gambling arrears
The only thing you left behind

And then the magistrate
Reclaimed our small estate
And my poor mother lost her mind

Then one day in spring
My dear sweet mother died
But before she did
I took her hand as she dying cried:
Oh Ohhhhh

"Find him, bind him
Tie him to a pole and break
His fingers to splinters
Drag him to a hole until he
Wakes up naked
Clawing at the ceiling
Of his grave
*sigh*"

It took me fifteen years
To swallow all my tears
Among the urchins in the street

Until a priory
Took pity and hired me
To keep their vestry nice and neat

But never once in the employ
Of these holy men
Did I ever once turn my mind
From the thought of revenge
Oh Ohhhhh

One night I overheard
The Prior exchanging words
With a penitent whaler from the sea

The captain of his ship
Who matched you toe to tip
Was known for wanton cruelty

The following day
I shipped to sea
With a privateer

And in the whistle
Of the wind
I could almost hear...
Oh Ohhhhh

"Find him, bind him
Tie him to a pole and break
His fingers to splinters
Drag him to a hole until he
Wakes up naked
Clawing at the ceiling
Of his grave

"There is one thing I must say to you
As you sail across the sea
Always, your mother will watch over you
As you avenge this wicked deed"

[haunting, sailor-esque musical interlude lead by mandolin, accordion, tuba and violin]

And then that fateful night
We had you in our sight
After twenty months at sea

Your starboard flank abeam
I was getting my muskets clean
When came this rumbling from beneath

The ocean shook
The sky went black
And the captain quailed

And before us grew
The angry jaws
Of a giant whale

[instrumental noise]
Oh Ohhhhhhhhhh
[screaming]
Ohhhhh
[screaming]

Don't know how I survived
The crew all was chewed alive
I must have slipped between his teeth

But, O! What providence!
What divine intelligence!
That you should survive
As well as me

It gives my heart
Great joy
To see your eyes fill with fear

So lean in close
And I will whisper
The last words you'll hear
Ohh Ohhhhh

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Thanks to olivia for submitting The Mariner's Revenge Song Lyrics.


Revenge...fantastic | Reviewer: Tara | 12/24/10

It was so well done, and so authentic sounding I actually thought it was a real sea ballad merely updated and recorded by these guys..... the air of authenticity is remarkable and once the tune is in your head you cannot get rid of it!!!

lol, something of a change from Disney's "Ill tellya lads its a whale of tale...."

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Wow dis awesome | Reviewer: random person | 4/8/10

Looking at the lyrics this is really deep yet scary revenge song. I like the darkness of the song it kinda just sets the scene of madding sadness. Um, this song is just one of those I'd listen to when I'm thinking pessimisticly

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mr.magorium | Reviewer: Anonymous | 1/16/10

This is a shining example of what full talent in both music and songwriting can produce. Very good. Epic. Amazing. Great. It's one of those songs that you can't stop listening to and the lyrics give you chills.

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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner... | Reviewer: Valence | 1/7/10

Excellent tune. The band knows how to captivate an audience, that's for sure.
But of course, they must; for the unknowing the song was influenced by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's epic poem of sorts 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'.
The Decemberists' spin on the concept is great, and the instruments used (mandolin, tuba, guitar, accordion) are all expertly played.
Just a great example of quality art all around.

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Squeeee!!! | Reviewer: I Love The Decemberists | 1/2/09

The first time I heard this song was when it was performed live at the end of their concert. When everyone was eaten by the whale the whole band ('cept for John, cuz no one could see him behind the drums anyway *little tear* ) lay down on the floor and played their instruments on their stomachs! Soooo great. <3

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Eerily Amazing | Reviewer: Kalina | 7/30/08

This song is so eerie and beautiful but in a sad way. I love it though, from the first time I heard it. It gives me goose bumps every time. I've never heard anything by the Decemberists before, but I'm open to it...especially since I'm hooked on this song!

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The Story | Reviewer: Anonymous | 11/8/07

The story is compelling, and it is done in true edge of your seat story-telliing style. The guy's voice is also very excellent, sounds like a common man who has spent his life searching for the captain. All in all, an excellent song by an excellent band.

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Storytelling At It's Finest | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/31/07

Absolutely fantastic storytelling. Keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next line even after the first listen. Another brilliant song by The Decemberists.

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Far Beyond Average.. | Reviewer: Thom | 10/19/07

I don't think He wrote this song... at least in it's entirety. hmmmm I flipp'n love it though

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Awesome song | Reviewer: Anonymous | 9/17/07

the first time i heard this song i thought it was weird but then i heard the lyrics and this song is very sensitive i love it :D

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