Pour le Capitain



Pour le Capitain is a popular folk ballad that arose sometime after 543 A.F.

Lyrics
Someone stands at the bow of the ship/ a seeing glass raised high

The sea she throws, the wind she blows/ the ship sails give a cry

We’d follow him through any storm/ until we’ve all gone mad

For he shall be the grand preneur/ of la cavalcade.

Chorus

Oh ho, pull on those oars, the captain is in need!

O! Ho, pull on those oars to the Eye of Umberlie.

O! Row-- row my boys, the captain is in need!

O! Row, row my boys, We die at Lathander’s Leap.

Verse 1

His ship is home to many folk / a vast and varied crew

Many lived to join his ranks / and died to do it, too.

Chorus

Oh ho, pull on those oars, the captain is in need!

O! Ho, pull on those oars to the Eye of Umberlie.

O! Row-- row my boys, the captain is in need!

O! Row, row my boys, We die at Lathander’s Leap.

Verse 2

The captain has my shooting eye/ my bullets and my breath

I’ll answer when he calls for me / til I have nothing left.

Chorus

O! ho, pull on those oars, the captain is in need!

O! Ho, pull on those oars to the Eye of Umberlie.

O! Row-- row my boys, the captain is in need!

O! Row, row my boys, We die at Lathander’s Leap.

Verse 3

He walked with us on every path/ to help us right our wrongs

And that is why upon his head/ the brine-burned crown belongs.

Chorus

Oh ho, pull on those oars, the captain is in need!

O! Ho, pull on those oars to the Eye of Umberlie.

O! Row-- row my boys, the captain is in need!

O! Row, row my boys, We die at Lathander’s Leap.

O! Ho, pull on those oars, the captain’s debt is due

O! Ho draw your swords, we are our captain’s crew!

Alternate Versions
As is usual with sea shanties and songs sung in taverns and on ships, there are a number of alternate lyrics. It was common for sailors to improvise new lyrics after one two many drinks, usually personalized with gibes at their own captains.

I Need a Hero Variant
One popular version involves the unnamed captain traveling around saving various maidens and their village, earning their affections. Oblivious, the captain moves from village to village, as the ladies fall for him.

He saved my village from the blaze/ he killed the ones to blame,

But little does the captain know / he sets my heart aflame!

.

His cannons sunk the pirate ships/ sent sea-thieves to their graves,

But then he left us and my heart/ was stolen quite away!

.

The captain saved my lover from/ a maelstrom in the rack,

I'd gladly push my love back in/ to bring the captain back!

.

Party Anthem Variant
The captain gave me coin for drugs/ we emptied out his purse,

When we partied in the hold/ the captain blacked out first!

.

The captain's mind is quick and keen/ he's never steered us wrong!

''But what I love about him most? (beat)/ he likes his moonshine strong!''

.

When we find a friendly dock/ the captain goes ashore,

That night you'll surely see him getting/ turnt on the tavern floor!

.

The captain's studied sails and sea/ he's honed his seaman's wit!

But best of all, the captain knows/ how to get fuckin lit!