The Drunk Buccaneer
Sailing Through Troubled Waters: The Drunk Buccaneer's Tale
Lyrics
Out for the count at the side of the road
The protagonist is incapacitated at the roadside.
He'll be counting out dough for the bread that he owed
He will be paying off debts, possibly related to bread.
He aims for the water but falls on the beers
He intends to reach the water but ends up consuming beer.
There's no-one to dry off those drunken old tears
No one is there to console his intoxicated sorrows.
He's met by a lather of judging peers
He faces judgment from a group of people.
A pint or two later, it all disappears
After a couple of pints, his troubles seem to vanish.
He talked to a pitcher, a bottle of red
He converses with a pitcher and a bottle of red wine.
If I took a guess then I'd bet that he'd said
A speculative statement about what he might have said.
If I were a sailor then you'd be the sea
Imagining himself as a sailor, expressing a connection.
You would go journeying around there with me
The sea symbolizes a journey shared with a loved one.
I'd follow you shipwrecked, you'd sink into me
He pledges to follow the person even in difficult times.
You'd be the death of me
Repetition emphasizing that this connection could be destructive.
You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-Sir, can you spare me a dime for my hand
Seeking financial assistance from someone passing by.
But that man he just looks on he don't understand
The passerby seems indifferent or unable to comprehend.
His own solution is clear like the rain
The protagonist's solution to his problems is as clear as rain.
He will pour out that poison that's causing his pain
He will release the metaphorical poison causing his pain.
And he swears to the gods that he won't drink again
Swearing to gods that he won't drink again, expressing remorse.
But he changes his mind and he runs to the drain
Despite the vow, he changes his mind and goes to drink.
He talked to a pitcher, a bottle of red
Another interaction with a pitcher and red wine.
If I took a guess then I'd bet that he'd said
Speculation on what he might have said during this interaction.
If I were a sailor then you'd be the sea
Reiteration of the sailor and sea metaphor, emphasizing perilous commitment.
You would go journeying around there with me
-I'd follow you shipwrecked, you'd sink into me
-You'd be the death of me
Repetition emphasizing the potential destructive nature of the relationship.
You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
-You'd be the death of me
Final repetition, reinforcing the theme that the connection could be fatal.
Comment