The Pirate of Penance

Joni Mitchell

9 fans

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson; November 7, 1943) is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto. In 1965 she moved to the United States and, touring constantly, began to be recognized when her original songs ("Urge for Going," "Chelsea Morning," "Both Sides, Now," "The Circle Game") were covered by notable folk singers, allowing her to sign with Reprise Records and record her own debut album in 1968. Settling in Southern California, Mitchell and her popular songs like "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Woodstock" helped define an era and a generation. Her more starkly personal 1971 recording Blue has been called one o… more »


Year:
1968
2:44
265 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

The pirate anchored on a Wednesday
And why he came to port I wonder
To see a lady so my friends say
She dances for the sailors
In a smoky cabaret bar underground
Down in a cellar in a harbor town
I know he told her love was treasure
And they would reap the fullest bounty
He only comes to port for pleasure
So when the winds of morning
Blew the curtains in she woke and found he'd gone
I saw his sails unfurling Thursday dawn
The pirate he will sink you with a kiss
He'll steal your heart and sail away

Saturday early we met in the cove near the forest

He'll leave you drowning in the flotsam Of a broken promise in the bay

(Dancing we wakened the dawn and the birds into chorus)

He came again to see her
Yes I think they told me it was Saturday

(Ask Penance Crane she was out in her garden she saw us)

I was at sea then
I didn't see them
I don't believe what you are saying
It isn't true I hardly knew him
Is this some game that you are playing
Go ask the dancer she's the one who saw him last
The one who drew him here
He hasn't come to me since spring last year
There was a time when he would
Bring me silks and sandalwood and Persian lace

(Then came another "goodbye" and another "Please don't go")

And he would hold me close
And tell my sailing stories by the fireplace

(All night I dance and all day I keep watch with my sorrow)

I was at sea I tell you I was
Nowhere near the mentioned murder place

(Searching for sails that don't come
And I guess but I don't know)

Go ask the dancer
She knows the answer

I don't know

She knows the answer

I don't know

She knows the answer

I don't know

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Written by: Joni Mitchell

Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Discuss the The Pirate of Penance Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Pirate of Penance Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3503794/Joni+Mitchell/The+Pirate+of+Penance>.

    Missing lyrics by Joni Mitchell?

    Know any other songs by Joni Mitchell? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Pirate of Penance

    6,610
    61     6

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    There once was a ship that put to sea; The name of the ship was the ___________.
    A Holly O'Pea
    B Willy O'Sea
    C Silly O'Sea
    D Billy O' Tea

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Joni Mitchell's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Joni Mitchell tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!