Pirate Jenny Lyrics

The song Pirate Jenny is performed by Nina Simone in the album named Four Women: Nina Simone Philips Recordings in the year 2003 .



You people can watch while I'm scrubbing these floors
And I'm scrubbin' the floors while you're gawking
Maybe once you tip me and it makes you feel swell
In this crummy southern town in this crummy old hotel
But you'll never guess to who you're talkin'.
No, you couldn't ever guess to who you're talkin'

Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you wonder who could that have been?
And you see me kinda grinnin' while I'm scrubbin'
And you say, "What's she got to grin?" I'll tell you

There's a ship, The Black Freighter
With a skull on its masthead will be coming in

You gentlemen can say, "Hey gal, finish them floors!
Get upstairs! What's wrong with you? Earn your keep here!'€
You toss me your tips and look out to the ships
But I'm counting your heads as I'm making the beds
'Cuz there's nobody gonna sleep here, tonight
Nobody is going to sleep here honey
Nobody, nobody!

Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you say, "Who's that kicking up a row?"
And you see me kinda starin' out the window
And you say, "What's she got to stare at now?"
I'll tell you

There's a ship, The Black Freighter turns around in the harbor
Shootin' guns from her bow

Now, you gentlemen can wipe off that smile off your face
'Cause every building in town is a flat one
This whole frickin' place will be down to the ground
Only this cheap hotel standing up safe and sound
And you yell, "Why do they spare that one?"
Yes, that's what you say, "Why do they spare that one?"

All the night through, through the noise and to do
You wonder who is that person that lives up there?
And you see me stepping out in the morning
Looking nice with a ribbon in my hair

And the ship, The Black Freighter runs a flag up its masthead
And a cheer rings the air

By noontime the dock is a swarmin' with men
Comin' out from the ghostly freighter
They're movin' in the shadows where no one can see
And they're chainin' up people and they're bringin' 'em to me
Askin' me, "Kill them now, or later?"
Askin' me, "Kill them now, or later?"

Noon by the clock and so still by the dock
You can hear a foghorn miles away
And in that quiet of death, I'll say, "Right now, right now!"
Then they'll pile up the bodies
And I'll say, "That'll learn ya!"

And the ship, The Black Freighter disappears out to sea
And on it is me



Nina Simone - Four Women: Nina Simone Philips Recordings

May 2003

  1. I Loves You Porgy
  2. Plain Gold Ring
  3. Pirate Jenny
  4. Old Jim Crow
  5. Don't Smoke In Bed
  6. Go Limp
  7. Mississippi Goddam
  8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
  9. Night Song
  10. The Laziest Gal In Town
  11. Something Wonderful
  12. Don't Take All Night
  13. Nobody
  14. I Am Blessed
  15. Of This I'm Sure
  16. See-Line Woman
  17. Our Love (Will See Us Through)
  18. How Can I?
  19. The Last Rose Of Summer
  20. I Put A Spell On You
  21. Tomorrow Is My Turn
  22. Ne Me Quitte Pas
  23. Marriage Is For Old Folks
  24. July Tree
  25. Gimme Some
  26. Feeling Good
  27. One September Day
  28. Blues On Purpose
  29. Beautiful Land
  30. You've Got To Learn
  31. Take Care Of Business
  32. Be My Husband
  33. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
  34. End Of The Line
  35. Trouble In Mind
  36. Tell Me More And More And Then Some
  37. Chilly Winds Don't Blow
  38. Ain't No Use
  39. Strange Fruit
  40. Sinnerman
  41. Mood Indigo
  42. The Other Woman
  43. Love Me Or Leave Me
  44. Don't Explain
  45. Little Girl Blue
  46. Chauffeur
  47. For Myself
  48. The Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  49. This Year's Kisses
  50. Images
  51. Nearer Blessed Lord
  52. I Love Your Lovin' Ways
  53. Four Women
  54. What More Can I Say?
  55. Lilac Wine
  56. That's All I Ask
  57. Break Down And Let It All Out
  58. Why Keep On Breaking My Heart
  59. Wild Is The Wind
  60. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
  61. If I Should Lose You
  62. Either Way I Lose
  63. Don't You Pay Them No Mind
  64. I'm Gonna Leave You
  65. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
  66. Keeper Of The Flame
  67. The Gal From Joe's
  68. Take Me To The Water
  69. I'm Going Back Home
  70. I Hold No Grudge
  71. Come Ye
  72. He Ain't Comin' Home No More
  73. Work Song
  74. I Love My Baby
  75. A Monster

Pirate Jenny