Great Pirates

Great Pirates
	;
Album	Jenny from Thebes
Released	October 27, 2023
Length	4:10
Previous Track	"Going to Dallas"

Great Pirates is the twelfth song on Jenny from Thebes. On the back cover of the vinyl edition, this song is subtitled "The future they both deserve."

Lyrics[]

On the morning when I stop looking back
I'll be up to see the sunrise in deep bruised black
And bright blood red, and pale desert rose
And several other colors like those

Great pirates testing the waves
Great pirates testing the waves

Everybody gone from here
May you all emerge free and clear
And may you do some good where you go
High in the hands of the crosswinds,
   or in the arms of the undertow

Great pirates testing the waves
Great pirates testing the waves

And calling the roll - let's see:
Just me
And checking the rigging before
Heading off to war

Peach rose black sky up early
Carry what I need to carry
Bury what I have to bury
Dancing, whistling, singing past the cemetery

Great pirates testing the waves
Great pirates testing the waves

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song[]

"'Pirates' because of Brecht's 'Pirate Jenny,' the original inspiration for the character's name, but also because of Rickie Lee Jones: 'I'm just tryin' to have some fun / until the Pirates come / and take me.'" -- This Year (2025)

Things Referenced in this Song[]

"God damn, the pirate's life for me!" --Jenny

Live Shows this Song Was Played at[]

Jenny from Thebes
Track list: "Clean Slate" • "Ground Level" • "Only One Way" • "Fresh Tattoo" • "Cleaning Crew" • "Murder at the 18th St. Garage" • "From the Nebraska Plant" • "Same as Cash" • "Water Tower" • "Jenny III" • "Going to Dallas" • "Great Pirates"

Great Pirates

Album	Jenny from Thebes
Released	October 27, 2023
Length	4:10
Previous Track	"Going to Dallas"