Barnacle Bill the Sailor
Kembra Pfahler Lyrics
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Who's that knocking at my door?
Who′s that knocking at my door?"
Said the fair young maiden.
It's only me from over the sea,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
My ass is tight, my temper's raw,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
I'm looking for meat or I′m going to pop,
A rag, a bone with a cherry on top,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
|: I'll come down and let you in,:|
I′ll come down and let you in,
Said the fair young maiden.
Well, hurry before I bust the door,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
I'm hard to windward and hard a-lee,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
I′ve newly come upon the shore,
And this is what I'm looking for,
A jade, a maid, or even a whore,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
|: Oh, your whiskers scrape my cheeks,:|
Oh, your whiskers scrape my cheeks,
Said the fair young maiden.
I'm dirty and lousy and full of fleas,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
I′ll stick my mast in whom I please,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
My flowing whiskers give me class,
The sea horses ate them instead of grass,
If they hurt your cheeks, they′ll tickle your ass,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
|: Tell me that we'll soon be wed:|
Tell me that we′ll soon be wed
Said the fair young maiden.
You foolish girl, it's nothing but sport,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
I′ve got me a wife in every port,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
Off I go on another tack
To give some other fair maid a crack,
But keep it oiled till I come back,
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
The song "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" by Kembra Pfahler is a raunchy and humorous exchange between a young maiden and an amorous sailor named Barnacle Bill. The song begins with the maiden asking who is knocking at her door to which Barnacle Bill responds with his identity as a sailor from overseas. His demeanor is evident in his words as he describes his tight ass, raw temper, and his need for meat, lest he explodes. Despite his crude manners, the maiden offers to let him in, and he advises her to hurry before he busts the door.
As the exchange continues, Barnacle Bill speaks of his newly arrived state and his search for a jade, maid, or even a whore. He compliments his whiskers which scrape the maiden's cheeks and speaks of them being eaten by seahorses instead of grass. When the young woman suggests that they will soon be wed, Barnacle Bill swiftly dismisses the notion, revealing that he has a wife in every port, and is off to find another fair maiden to satisfy his urges.
The lyrics of "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" embody the spirit of a sailor's life, where they must always be ready to move on to the next port and woman. It highlights the coarseness and crudeness of a sailor's character while still delivering humor and irony in their interaction with women. The song redefines the stereotype of a sailor and serves as a commentary on the loose morals of men at sea.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that knocking at my door?
The fair young maiden asks who is knocking at her door.
Said the fair young maiden.
A statement signaling the fair young maiden's response to the knocking at her door.
It's only me from over the sea,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor identifies himself to the fair young maiden as the one knocking at her door.
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
A statement following Barnacle Bill the Sailor's self-identification.
My ass is tight, my temper's raw,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor informs the fair young maiden that he is feeling agitated and explosive.
I'm so wound up I'm afraid to stop,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor tells the fair young maiden that he is extremely jumpy.
I'm looking for meat or I'm going to pop,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor states that he needs to satiate his desires before he loses control.
A rag, a bone with a cherry on top,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor is open-minded in his pursuit of gratification.
Said the fair young maiden.
The fair young maiden acknowledges Barnacle Bill the Sailor's desires.
I'll come down and let you in,
The fair young maiden agrees to let Barnacle Bill the Sailor inside.
Well, hurry before I bust the door,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor is impatient to enter and warns the fair young maiden to hurry up.
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
A statement following Barnacle Bill the Sailor's impatience.
I'm hard to windward and hard a-lee,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor refers to his resilience and ability to navigate rough waters.
I've newly come upon the shore,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor states that he is new to this shore.
And this is what I'm looking for,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor clarifies his intentions to the fair young maiden.
A jade, a maid, or even a whore,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor is open-minded in his pursuit of gratification.
Oh, your whiskers scrape my cheeks,
The fair young maiden comments on the physical closeness between her and Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
I'm dirty and lousy and full of fleas,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor admits to his unsanitary condition.
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
A statement following Barnacle Bill the Sailor's unsavory confession.
I'll stick my mast in whom I please,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor asserts his sexual autonomy.
My flowing whiskers give me class,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor believes that his whiskers are a distinguishing feature.
The sea horses ate them instead of grass,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor exaggerates the distinctiveness of his whiskers.
If they hurt your cheeks, they'll tickle your ass,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor makes light of the discomfort his whiskers may cause the fair young maiden.
Said the fair young maiden.
The fair young maiden shares her desire for commitment with Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
You foolish girl, it's nothing but sport,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor dismisses the fair young maiden's desires for commitment.
Says Barnacle Bill the Sailor
A statement following Barnacle Bill the Sailor's dismissal of the fair young maiden's desire for commitment.
I've got me a wife in every port,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor shares that he has many romantic partners and no intention of settling down.
Off I go on another tack
Barnacle Bill the Sailor is moving on to his next conquest.
To give some other fair maid a crack,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor is going to pursue another romantic interest.
But keep it oiled till I come back,
Barnacle Bill the Sailor asks the fair young maiden to remain available to him sexually until he returns.
Writer(s): Traditional Song
Contributed by Luke I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.