Mack the Black
Judy Garland Lyrics

There's a pirate, known to fame
Introducing the famous pirate, Black Macocco

Black Macocco was the Pirate's name
Identifying the name of the famous pirate as Black Macocco

In his day, the tops was he
Acknowledging his dominance as a pirate in his day

Round the Caribbean or Caribbean Sea
Describing his sphere of influence as around the Caribbean Sea

When he sites a clipper ship
Referring to his encounters with clipper ships

Mack would board her and begin to clip
Describing how Black Macocco would board a ship and plunder it

First he'd grab, the ladies fair
Stating that he would take the women on board the ships as captives

Especially those with jewels
Highlighting Black Macocco's preference for taking women with valuables

Those with jewels to spare!
Emphasizing the fact that he sought out women with possessions of value

With his ladies and his loot
Referring to his stolen women and riches

Next Macocco from the ship would scoot
Suggesting he would make a speedy exit from the ship after his plundering

Then he'd set the ship afire...what a pretty funeral
Commenting on how he would burn down the ship as a spectacle to behold

Funeral pyre!
Referring to the burning ship as a spectacle

Mack the Black, what a pretty funeral
Referring to Black Macocco and his behavior as being beautiful to watch

Mack the Black, marvelous funeral pyre!
Further glorifying Black Macocco's burning of ships as a spectacle

Though the years this black Macocco
Stating that Black Macocco was active for many years

Lead his pirate reign
Implies that Black Macocco was in charge of his own pirate crew

His claim to fame was as black as his name
Suggesting that his infamous reputation matched his dark name

All around the Spanish Maine
Describing his activities along the coast of Spain

When he'd a make his daily rounds
Describing his daily activities as a pirate

Gals would trail him like a pack of hounds
Claiming that many women were attracted to Black Macocco

Ev'ry night he'd have a date
Suggesting that every night Black Macocco would have female companionship

Ladies go to pieces
Implying that women were enamored with Black Macocco and lost their self-control for him

Over pieces of eight.
Referring to the Spanish coins (pieces of eight) that were often featured in treasure hoards

Sleep my baby, baby sleep
Offering a lullaby to a child

Time for babe to be in slumber deep
Encouraging the child to fall asleep

If you wake or cry or laugh
Warning the child to remain asleep and not disturb others

Mack the Black will whack ya
Suggesting that if the child does not follow the warning or threatens to awake others, Black Macocco will discipline them

And he'll whack ya in half!
Exaggerating the severity of the discipline, although perhaps suggesting that Black Macocco was ruthless

Aaaaaah! Mack was ruthless
Confirming that Mack was indeed merciless

Mack was feared
Stating that people were afraid of him

Perhaps it's better that he disappeared
Suggesting that it was better for everyone concerned that Black Macocco did not continue his activities as a pirate

Yet I know, that he was bad
Admitting that Black Macocco had a bad reputation

I could fall in love with,
Implies that, despite his reputation, the artist still holds a fondness for Black Macocco

Fall in love with the lad!
Expressing romantic feelings despite knowing that he was a pirate

Evening star, if you see Mack
Addressing the Evening Star with a wishful plea to locate Black Macocco

Stop his wanderings and guide him back
Asking the Evening Star to prevent Black Macocco's continuation of piracy and lead him to a better path

I'll be waiting, patiently
Asserting that the singer will wait for Black Macocco

By the Caribbean or Caribbean Sea.
Stating where the singer will be waiting

Is that the Caribbean Sea?
Reiterating the location of waiting, to imply that the artist is unsure

And if I met this famous pirate
Hypothetically considering a meeting with Black Macocco

Met him face to face
Imagining what it would be like to meet him in person

You think I'd run and hide my head
Rhetorical question: Would the singer be afraid and hide?

And scream around the place
Suggesting that the artist would react noisily if faced with Black Macocco

Why no I'd just sashay around
Surprising answer indicating that the artist wouldn't shy away from Black Macocco

Displaying all my charms
Suggesting that the artist would charm and flirt with him

And soon I'd have him walk the plank
Asserting that after charming Black Macocco, the singer would be able to outsmart him and make him walk off the ship's plank

Right into my arms
Hypothetical situation where the artist defeats Black Macocco and then embraces him

That's what I think of Mack the Black Macocco!
Final commentary that reveals the singer's affection for the infamous pirate