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
- I Loves You Porgy
- Plain Gold Ring
- Pirate Jenny
- Old Jim Crow
- Don't Smoke In Bed
- Go Limp
- Mississippi Goddam
- Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
- Night Song
- The Laziest Gal In Town
- Something Wonderful
- Don't Take All Night
- Nobody
- I Am Blessed
- Of This I'm Sure
- See-Line Woman
- Our Love (Will See Us Through)
- How Can I?
- The Last Rose Of Summer
- I Put A Spell On You
- Tomorrow Is My Turn
- Ne Me Quitte Pas
- Marriage Is For Old Folks
- July Tree
- Gimme Some
- Feeling Good
- One September Day
- Blues On Purpose
- Beautiful Land
- You've Got To Learn
- Take Care Of Business
- Be My Husband
- Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
- End Of The Line
- Trouble In Mind
- Tell Me More And More And Then Some
- Chilly Winds Don't Blow
- Ain't No Use
- Strange Fruit
- Sinnerman
- Mood Indigo
- The Other Woman
- Love Me Or Leave Me
- Don't Explain
- Little Girl Blue
- Chauffeur
- For Myself
- The Ballad Of Hollis Brown
- This Year's Kisses
- Images
- Nearer Blessed Lord
- I Love Your Lovin' Ways
- Four Women
- What More Can I Say?
- Lilac Wine
- That's All I Ask
- Break Down And Let It All Out
- Why Keep On Breaking My Heart
- Wild Is The Wind
- Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
- If I Should Lose You
- Either Way I Lose
- Don't You Pay Them No Mind
- I'm Gonna Leave You
- Brown Eyed Handsome Man
- Keeper Of The Flame
- The Gal From Joe's
- Take Me To The Water
- I'm Going Back Home
- I Hold No Grudge
- Come Ye
- He Ain't Comin' Home No More
- Work Song
- I Love My Baby
- A Monster