Welcome Swashbucklers and and Swashbucklerettes...aye and I thought I wouldn't be able to pull this one off (too little time)! Thanks to that saucy one, Donna of the Ribboned Crown for putting this soiree together!
May I present to you for your edification, that saucy tavern wench, Jenny - of the "Threepenny Opera" by Bertholt Brecht
Lyrics: Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein
Melody: Kurt Weill
Verse One:
You people can watch while I'm scrubbing these floors
And I'm scrubbin' the floors while you're gawking
Maybe once ya tip me and it makes ya feel swell
In this crummy Southern town, in this crummy old hotel
But you'll never guess to who you're talkin'.
No. You couldn't ever guess to who you're talkin'.
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you'll wonder who could that have been
And you see me kinda grinnin' while I'm scrubbin'
And you say, "What's she got to grin?"
I'll tell you.
There's a ship, the black freighter
with a skull on its masthead
will be coming in.
(And just what might those keys about her neck be used for?)
Verse Two:
You gentlemen can say, "Hey gal, finish them floors!
Get upstairs! What's wrong with you! Earn your keep here!
You toss me your tips
and look out to the ships
But I'm counting your heads
as I'm making the beds
Cuz there's nobody gonna sleep here, honey
Nobody! Nobody!
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you say, "Who's that kicking up a row?"
And ya see me kinda starin' out the winda
And you say, "What's she got to stare at now?"
I'll tell ya.
There's a ship, the black freighter
turns around in the harbor
shootin' guns from her bow
Verse 3:
Now you gentlemen can wipe that smile off your face
'Cause every building in town is a flat one
This whole frickin' place will be down to the ground
Only this cheap hotel standing up safe and sound
And you yell, "Why do they spare that one?"
Yes, that's what you say.
"Why do they spare that one?"
All the night through, through the noise and to-do
You wonder who is that person that lives up there?
And you see me stepping out in the morning
Looking nice with a ribbon in my hair.
And the ship, the black freighter
runs a flag up its masthead
and a cheer rings the air
Verse 4:
By noontime the dock is a-swarmin' with men
comin' out from the ghostly freighter
They move in the shadows where no one can see
And they're chainin' up people and they're bringin' em to me
askin' me, "Kill them NOW, or LATER?"
Askin' ME! "Kill them now, or later?"
Noon by the clock
and so still by the dock
You can hear a foghorn miles away
And in that quiet of death
I'll say, "Right now.
Right now!"
Then they'll pile up the bodies
And I'll say,
"That'll learn ya!"
And the ship, the black freighter
disappears out to sea
And on it is me.
The keys? Why they are for her pirate's chest full of sparkly booty!
The song, "Pirate Jenny", I heard for the first time on an Judy Collins album in the 60's. I didn't know much about Bertholt Brecht until later. I have not mastered the art of inserting audio files as yet, but here is a link to YouTube, where you can listen to cabaret singer, Anne Kerry Ford, sing "Pirate Jenny". The song is quite haunting - more than the "saucy wench" I used for my pirate. The doll is an old Klumpe that I found at an antique store years ago. She was "au naturel" and I set about making her a costume. Her sly expression said "tavern wench" and so the costume reflects that persona. Aaaarggh, ladies...don't forget to go to check out the many guests for the "Swashbuckler Soiree" at The Ribboned Crown - and many thanks to the always creative Donna for providing the venue!
You made a lovely costume! Such a girl must have her own chest of treasures!
Liisa
Posted by: Liisa | May 03, 2008 at 01:24 AM
Your wench is perfect to set the mood for the poem that was to follow.She is seductively captivating.
So happy you could join in the fun!
xo Susan
Posted by: Miss Maddie's | May 03, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Lovely verse but FANTASTICALLY outfitted wench!
Dorian! What fun!!
Happy Swashbuckler's Soiree Day friend!
May it be filled with lots of buried treasures!
xo
C
Posted by: rochambeau | May 03, 2008 at 07:10 AM
I love Kurt Weill and particularly that piece, and I had NO IDEA that the lyrics were written in part by Bertolt Brecht! Thank you for the pure entertainment and educational aspect.
Jenny is a saucy little wench!
Christine
Posted by: Christine LeFever | May 03, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I wouldnt want to mess with Jenny!! Love the text and that saucy lady..I shall check out tha song by Judy Collins (sadly the only song I know of hers is the cover of Send in the Clowns), Glad you made it to the Soiree!!
~Christine
Posted by: Du Buh Du Designs | May 03, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I hope Jenny won't be at the party. I'm no match for her I fear. Enjoy the Soiree!
Posted by: Melissa | May 03, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Very interesting...I liked the song...haunting indeed.
The costume you made for the Klumpe doll is great.
Good to meet you...such a fun party.
Posted by: Mo'a | May 03, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Great song and amazing costume!!! She is just gorgeous!!! What a fantastic idea...thanks for visiting, as well - so nice to meet you!
Posted by: Black-Eyed Suzie | May 03, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I love Three Penny Opera! And your Jenny is wonderful!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | May 03, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Your wench is perfect for the soiree, and her costume is fabulous!!
Posted by: Sylvia Anderson | May 03, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Your wench is perfect for the soiree, and her costume is fabulous!!
Posted by: Sylvia Anderson | May 03, 2008 at 11:27 AM
love the pics,love ,love,love Brecht and especially Weill!
Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | May 03, 2008 at 11:43 AM
love the pics,love ,love,love Brecht and especially Weill!
Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | May 03, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Wow, Jenny is amazing !!!!! Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | May 03, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Ahoy Lass! What a colorful story yer spinnin' 'bout yer wench, and her costume... I be needin' it fer my next sail to Bonaire! I notice she's got pearls, precious pearls, dripping from her treasure chest.... I'll send me raven to snatch them up straight away! Aaaarrhhh!
Smooth sailin' to ya!
xoxo
Karen Otto
A`Musements
Posted by: Karen sailing as The Lady of The Sea | May 03, 2008 at 12:52 PM
she is quite the sassy gal now isn't she? i think that i like her and we have at least one thing in common... enjoy your weekend!
jenny
Posted by: fated follies studio | May 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Your "Jenny" is terrific...have a fun day!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | May 03, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I love Miss Jenny! She is certainly saucy and a seductive temptress to boot.
Posted by: steph stargell | May 03, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Ahoy! Now that's a wench to contend with! Me thinks we'll be on the look-out for a black freighter... and stay well away from her!
(Great post!)
Posted by: Magpie Sue | May 03, 2008 at 04:08 PM
What a saucy little wench. She'll give any pirate a run for their money.
Posted by: Holley | May 03, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I'm SO happy you were able to make it Dorian!!! This is a perfect post- such great verses. As for the keys around the neck. Perhaps I should lock Johnny up and hang the keys around MY neck!! Thanks for the idea.
XO
D.
Posted by: Donna O. | May 03, 2008 at 04:19 PM
What a lovely Jenny! You did a fantastic job on her clothes!
xx Nancy
Posted by: Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur | May 03, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Jenny is amazing, great job on her clothes. I really enjoyed the song.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | May 03, 2008 at 09:49 PM
The perfect wench! Very Clever!
I'll have to check out the song on YouTube!
Posted by: lila | May 04, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Oh my but she certainly is saucy!!! Outfitted to the nine's!!
Or should I say she's done up to the "pieces of eight"?? A happy piratey soiree to you :)
Posted by: Bethany | May 04, 2008 at 09:16 PM