[STYLE: Pirate-reggae pop musical theater: offbeat guitar, deep bass, drums, hand percussion, concertina, fiddle, brass, cello, cinematic strings and shamisen-style sliding plucks. Swashbuckling, catchy, dark humor. Use galleon creaks, ropes, sails, waves and splashes as effects. Lucaroth: young male baritone. Esther: young female soprano. Merchant: sly male. Captain: deep gruff male. Narrator: clear female.] [STRICT: ONLY written lyrics. NO humming, oohs, aahs, scat, beatboxing, ad-libs, wordless vocals, vocal percussion or extra lyrics. Sounds are effects/instruments, never vocal imitations. Follow voice assignments.] [Instrumental Intro: Waves, splashes, creaking timbers, ropes and sails; build from guitar, bass, percussion, concertina and bending shamisen to brass and strings. NO VOCALS.] [Chorus 1: Exiled Vampire Chorus, male/female alternating then united; fiddle/plucked fills, subtle waves and creaks.] We sail away from homes that cast us out We sail away where none can hear us shout To islands lost beyond the foam Where no old tyrants call them home Our only sins: a newborn bite Or helping wolves, or wronging ancient might We took their blood, their beds, their pride Now find us land where we can hide [Verse 1: Reggae guitar, bass, concertina, plucks; subtle creaks and water.] [Vampire Merchant: Sly low male] Thanks for your service, Lucaroth, old chum But passage costs a fortune, every crumb You’ll fight for space, a boat, a place to sleep The sea is wide, the prices steeper deep [Lucaroth: Young male baritone, determined] We’ll find it, Esther, somewhere in the night The Isle Evernight waits beyond our sight [Vampire Merchant: Sly male, sarcastic] A legend sung by pirates long since dead Whose blood we drank, then robbed them while they bled! [Esther: Young female soprano, confident] We’ll pay for the galleon and the boat Just write it down before you change the quote! [Prechorus 1: Beat builds with toms, strings and brass; chorus alternates/unites; waves and ropes.] Let’s sail away to islands lost in night And hope the sun stays out of sight We’ll chase the moon forevermore And never bow to the old ones’ law Do we have blood enough to last? Enough boats if the first ones sink too fast? [Captain Vampire: Deep gruff male; sparse bass pulse, timber creaks and water.] No mutiny here, you scurvy blights! Swim with the merfolk if you start a fight! [Chorus 2: Bigger reggae hook, bass, guitar, ensemble, brass, fiddle and shamisen; waves/creaks.] We sail away from homes that cast us out We’ll take their ships and leave them all to pout Those islands will be ours to claim We’ll write new rules and change the game No old dominion, no ancient throne We’ll take the boats and make them our own We’ll feast on land and settle every score And make the old ones wish they’d locked the door! [Female Narrator: Sung narration; tense strings, toms, sword clashes, boots and splashes.] The captain fought and swung his blade A few heads rolled; a mess was made He faced the rebels one by one Till Lucaroth and Esther joined the fun [Verse 2: Driving reggae, bass, sharp drums, rapid plucks; sword clashes, running feet and groaning timbers.] [Lucaroth and Esther: Male baritone and female soprano together] We may be exiles, still we have our pride We’ll fight beside you, Captain, side by side [Captain Vampire: Deep gruff male, amused] You think you can? Well, give it a try Here’s a blade; swing hard, or say goodbye! [Female Narrator: Sung urgently; intense drums/strings, sword clashes and splashes.] They struck down some, their blades flashed bright But too many foes closed in that night The deck ran red, the rebels roared And more kept coming, sword on sword! [Bridge: Heavy toms, brass, cello, shamisen; battle sounds, creaking wood, waves and splashes.] [Captain Vampire: Deep gruff male, shouting] There are too many! Take a boat and flee! Pray none of these fools find land where you be! If they do, then sharpen every blade For peace is not the deal these beasts have made! [Outro: Softer reggae, concertina, fiddle, plucks, strings; waves and galleon creaks.] [Lucaroth and Esther: Male baritone and female soprano, earnest] Be safe, dear Captain, if you must escape We’ll find our way beyond their grasp and hate No laws await us where we’re bound Just moonlit shores and new blood on the ground [Captain Vampire: Deep gruff male, darkly funny; brief musical stop, rope creak and splash.] Then sail, you lovebirds! Don’t come back for me! I’ve had enough of immortality! [Instrumental Ending: Pirate-reggae hook, guitar, bass, concertina, fiddle, shamisen, toms, brass and strings; fade into waves, creaks, sails and splashes. Final dramatic hit. NO VOCALS OR VOCALIZATIONS.]
