Funky folk tunes, saucy songs and an infectious stage energy, the band mixes fiddles & squeezeboxes, guitar noise & synth bass, and a feast of international hand percussion to bring you an unforgettable folk-rock extravaganza. Grounded in English traditions - but never afraid to explore more exotic musical avenues - they create a sound that is equal parts tasty, dramatic and danceable.
They began in 2009 with an EP entitled Heaven's To Betsy. Albums followed, including Tomorrow We’ll Be Sober (2011), Whip Jamboree (2013).
Landlady
Blackbeard's Tea Party Lyrics
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They used to come and make my bed each day
They use to come and clean my living quaters,
But their mother made quite sure they didn't stay.
There was Mary; she seemed chary;
There wsa Helen; She seemed well and
truly sceptical about my qualities;
theree was Julie; she was truly well-
Brought exhaustion on my aching arteries
But I was wrong: they weren't at all impervious To the possibilities of high romance - And I sensed a certain girlish nerviness In the way they folded my pyjama pants.
And I was right, for late one night Sweet little Mary, like a fairy, As I lay sleeping, came a-creeping to my side.
She was mine: it was divine - but we were doomed, for very soon Into the room came sister Helen, and she cried: "
Mary, go to bed!" Off Mary went. "
Now, young man," Helen said, "for your punishment, "
We mustn't have a fight, we mustn't make a row: "
Turn off the light - it's my turn now!" Well, after all, I'm young and relatively vigorous, And though I still protest my innocence, By temperament I'm strictly un-polygamous, And if I sinned, I sinned in self-defence.
Nevertheless I must confess I wouldn't miss that sort of bliss And when it ended I was rendered comatose.
When, loud and clear, very near, in my ear a loud voice spoke And I was awoken from my post-coital doze. "
Helen, go to bed!" Helen went away. "
Now, young man," Julie said, "you will have to pay! "
You've blighted Helen's charms, filched her purity. "
Open up your arms - come and filch me!" I was amazed, and really rather tired; I thought I'd given all that I could give.
A little kip was all that I desired, But I'm British, so my upper lip was stiff.
She was chaotic, idiotic, quite exotic and ecstatic, Acrobatic and emphatically fine.
All to no good, for when I could open my eyes, to my surprise I found her mother looking into mine. "
Julie, go to bed!" Julie left the scene. "
Now listen, Ma," I said, "
I know the old routine. "
I'll do what you like, but I shall be vexed "
And I'll bloody well go on strike if Grandma's next!"
The song "Landlady" by Blackbeard's Tea Party tells the story of a young man who stays in a lodging house with a landlady who has three daughters. The man describes how the daughters used to come and clean his living quarters, but their mother made sure they didn't stay long. He then goes on to describe each daughter, expressing his interest in them. He admits to having a romantic encounter with Mary, the youngest daughter, but is interrupted by Helen, the middle daughter. Helen punishes him for his behavior and then offers herself to him. The man is exhausted but agrees, only to be interrupted by Julie, the oldest daughter. The man sleeps with Julie before being caught by the landlady. He then makes it clear to the landlady that he will not sleep with the grandmother.
The lyrics of this song tell a humorous story of a young man's romantic encounters with three sisters. It highlights the man's lack of control over his desires and his willingness to engage in these encounters even though he knows it is wrong. The song also highlights the strict moral codes that were prevalent at the time (the song is set in the early 20th century), where premarital sex was heavily frowned upon. Throughout the song, the man's encounters with each sister become increasingly chaotic, emphasizing the comical nature of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
my landlady she had thrree lovely daughter
The singer's landlady had three daughters who he found attractive.
They used to come and make my bed each day
The three daughters would come to his room daily to make his bed.
They use to come and clean my living quaters,
The daughters would also clean his living quarters.
But their mother made quite sure they didn't stay.
The mother made sure that her daughters did not form any romantic bond with the artist.
There was Mary; she seemed chary;
Mary appeared cautious.
There wsa Helen; She seemed well and truly sceptical about my qualities;
Helen appeared to be skeptical of the singer's abilities.
theree was Julie; she was truly well- proportioned, but her caution Brought exhaustion on my aching arteries
Julie was well-proportioned, but her cautious nature gave the singer trouble.
But I was wrong: they weren't at all impervious To the possibilities of high romance - And I sensed a certain girlish nerviness In the way they folded my pyjama pants.
The artist sensed nervousness in the daughters' actions hinting at the potential for a romantic relationship to form.
And I was right, for late one night Sweet little Mary, like a fairy, As I lay sleeping, came a-creeping to my side.
Mary visited the artist at night and they had a romantic encounter.
She was mine: it was divine - but we were doomed, for very soon Into the room came sister Helen, and she cried: " Mary, go to bed!"
Helen interrupted them and sent Mary away.
"Now, young man," Helen said, "for your punishment, " We mustn't have a fight, we mustn't make a row: " Turn off the light - it's my turn now!"
Helen demanded her turn with the singer as punishment for his previous encounter with Mary.
Well, after all, I'm young and relatively vigorous, And though I still protest my innocence, By temperament I'm strictly un-polygamous, And if I sinned, I sinned in self-defence.
The artist claims to be relatively young and still vigorous, but not interested in multiple relationships. If he sinned, it was due to self-defense.
Nevertheless I must confess I wouldn't miss that sort of bliss And when it ended I was rendered comatose.
Despite his claim, the singer enjoyed the encounter and was exhausted afterward.
When, loud and clear, very near, in my ear a loud voice spoke And I was awoken from my post-coital doze. " Helen, go to bed!" Helen went away.
The singer was awoken by a loud voice, prompting Helen to leave the room.
"Now, young man," Julie said, "you will have to pay! " You've blighted Helen's charms, filched her purity. " Open up your arms - come and filch me!"
Julie offered herself to the singer after blaming him for ruining Helen's purity.
I was amazed, and really rather tired; I thought I'd given all that I could give.
The artist was surprised and exhausted but felt like he had nothing more to give.
But I'm British, so my upper lip was stiff.
The artist, being British, put on a brave face despite feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
She was chaotic, idiotic, quite exotic and ecstatic, Acrobatic and emphatically fine.
Julie was enthusiastic, bizarre, somewhat exotic, and physically fit.
All to no good, for when I could open my eyes, to my surprise I found her mother looking into mine. " Julie, go to bed!" Julie left the scene.
The singer was surprised again to find the mother entering the room and asking Julie to leave.
"Now listen, Ma," I said, "I know the old routine. " I'll do what you like, but I shall be vexed " And I'll bloody well go on strike if Grandma's next!"
The artist reassured the mother that he knows the routine and will comply but stated that he will rebel if the grandmother tries to join in.
Contributed by Isabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.