Verse 1 Ahoy, sailor — she slipped out of Seattle at dusk, Fourth Lady Ship, 110,000 tons of hush. No kids on the gangway, no buffet in sight, Just red hammocks swinging in the northern light. The Dock pours something gold as the skyline fades, Wi-Fi’s free, the fare’s already paid. Richard’s ghost is grinning from the rooftop suite— Brilliant Lady, put the wilderness on beat. Chorus Oh Brilliant Lady, paint the glacier scarlet, Endicott Arm humming like a velvet harp. Ketchikan cedar, Sitka in the rain, Prince Rupert midnight on a champagne train. The Manor’s two stories deep in vinyl sin, Scarlet Night’s coming and the whole ship’s in. You’re a rockstar in a fjord, a kiss in the cold— Brilliant Lady, never getting old. Verse 2 Twenty restaurants and not a single line, Gunbae table’s sizzling, soju in the spine. Pink Agave heat while the icebergs calve, The Wake’s serving steak with the ocean as a slave. Extra Virgin pasta, tableside affogato glow, Rojo paella while the orcas pass below. Razzle Dazzle drag brunch cutting through the mist— This ship don’t do “formal.” She does twist. Verse 3 Murder in the Manor, 1980s crime, Happenings flash-mob you out of your mind. Red Room theater, “Red Hot” Virgin catalog, Fitness class at dawn then a thermal-suite fog. Sea Terrace hammock, Thai-woven and named, Dawes Glacier thunder answering the flame. Juneau lights wink like a cigarette at two— Adults-only gospel in a midnight blue. Bridge Bimini’s waiting when the ice lets go, Cabo and the Canal when the seasons slow. But tonight it’s Tracy Arm or Endicott’s throat, Harbor seals on ice and a scarlet coat. No nickel, no dime, just the bass walking home, A lady ship dressed for the last unknown. Final Chorus / Tag Oh Brilliant Lady, paint the glacier scarlet, Sailors in the hammocks, jazz in the scarlet. From Seattle north and the Passage south again, You’re the last good secret in a world of amen. Brilliant Lady… dim the lights, hold the note, Leave the ice still glowing in a red silk coat. (Tag: alto sax holds a high, thin cry over walking bass, then a single muted trumpet answering “ahoy” as the ride cymbal fades.)
