We are two mariners
Our ships' sole survivors
In this belly of a whale
Its ribs our ceiling beams
Its guts our 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 enweave
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 and tuba]
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
If you find some error in The Mariner's Revenge Song Lyrics, would you please submit your corrections to me? Thank You.
Review about The Mariner's Revenge Song 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
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!
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.
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.
I don't think He wrote this song... at least in it's entirety. hmmmm I flipp'n love it though
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
a great story song. | Reviewer: Johnny | 9/3/07
I remember the first time I read this, I literally stopped what I was doing and leaned in to my stereo to hear what happened next. THAT is good story telling.
Epic | Reviewer: Alexander | 7/25/07
A ballad of such epic construction as has not been seen in quantity during these impersonal times. A masterwork of storytelling.
Ummmm....... | Reviewer: I'm scared | 5/30/07
this song is so weird!!! I have to do a SKIT for it, and i am petrified... wakes up naked? what? it's so ODD. I'm sad I had to listen to it!
I absolutely LOVE this song. the first time i over heard it i fell in love with it. the music the lyrics they are genius.
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