The Life of Scarlett Sarah

Chapter II: wherein SCARLETT SARAH at last strides upon the stage of this grim tale, a pirate captain of dreadful renown whose name is whispered with fear across every tide-washed coast, and wherein the terrible woman herself sings of her own fall from grace, recounting in a voice steeped in salt, blood, and bitterness how she tore the command of the Proud Mary from its former master through murder, and merciless resolve—thus revealing that her legend was not forged by fate alone, but by a will sharpened upon betrayal and paid for in lives… [violins, banjos, handclaps, foot stomps] [Background noises: tavern laughter, drunken cursing, clinking mugs] [Rhythm: fast 6/8 or driving 4/4 with swing, violins, banjos, handclaps, foot stomps] [Intro: Banjo, bodhrán, fiddle, rowdy tavern energy, background drunken chorus] [Man Speaking] (Another round for the lady with the scars — and none o' ye look her in the eye!) [Verse 1 – slow start, minor key, low whistle & fiddle] They took me name, they took me kin, Bound in chains for the Virginian sin. Cathy screamed on the slave deck floor, While I prayed for death, and then prayed no more. [Verse 2 – picking up tempo, bodhrán & stomps] One fat dog came crawlin’ at night, Said “Smile, girl, or I’ll teach ye fright.” So I taught him — with me nails and wrath, Two thumbs in his eyes, now he’s blind to his path. [Refrain – full swing, drunken chorus joins] I’m the captain now! With blood on me hands and fire on me brow! They broke my face but they made me queen — A pirate witch with a temper mean! I kill, I kiss, I curse, I drink, I stab before I bloody blink — I'm the captain now! And I’ll sink your soul for a goddamn wow! [Verse 3 – jaunty tune, banjo & fiddle duel] They beat me near dead in the ship’s black lung, But the sea she whispered in an ancient tongue: [whispering] “Avenge your kin, rise wild and red — Your heart’s not broke, it’s just undead.” [Verse 4 – spoken over ominous accordion] So I danced in the dark, bones crackin’ and raw, One by one I slashed their jaw. Cook, first mate, and the bastard chaplain, Fed ’em each their guts — with a silver pin. And the captain? Oh, he begged real sweet... Till I kicked out his teeth and pissed on his seat. [Refrain – faster, louder] Love! I’m the captain now! Scarlet Sarah with the devil’s vow! Ugly as sin and twice as bold, With tits like cannons and a heart ice-cold! I kiss who I please, I kill who I must, I drink their rum and grind their dust — I'm the captain now! And your god can kiss my rusted prow! [Verse 5 – sea shanty harmonies] They call me beast, they call me blight, But my girls don’t fear the night. My sisters ride with blades and song, And woe to the bastard who does us wrong. [Bridge – slow and eerie, Ariel’s voice echoing] "Rise, O scar of sea and flame, Burn the world that gave you shame." She crowned me red with a moonlit tide — And I never cried, but now the Proud Mary is mine. [Final Refrain – wild, stomping, chaos in the tavern] I’m the captain now! With a lover in each filthy port o’ call! I carve my name in tyrant’s flesh, And laugh while their blood’s still fresh! So raise your glass to the girl they maimed — She rose in fire, unashamed — I’m the captain now! Scarlet Sarah — feared, fucked, and famed! ________________________________________ [Outro – someone in the tavern shouts:] “She’s ugly, but gods help you if you say it twice!” “TO HELL WITH THE CROWN!” “AND DOUBLE FOR THE CLERGY!” [🥁 DRUNKEN STOMPING AND A BANJO SET ON FIRE]