Right Away, Great Captain! recorded their debut album The Bitter End over a span of 3 days in a 100 year old log cabin near Bastian, VA in August of 2006. It is a concept record concerning a 17th century sailor at sea for 3 years. Each song is a journal entry to either his family at home, or his captain.
Part two of the story The Eventually Home was released in 2008.
The final part of the trilogy The Church Of The Good Thief was released mid-January of 2012. 6 months later in July, The Lost Sea was released.
Right Ahead Young Sailor!
Right Away Great Captain! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ive been trying hard to be rational
what a woman, what a woe that you give to me
how long can i count to a thousand
i tried drinking but the bottle is still empty
i can only hope for a fresh one
you tried loving but i guess you could not love me
how long can you count to a thousand
i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
yeah i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
but i just want to kill a man kill a man
really what's a bigger man?
oh young sailor do see you what your captain sees?
love is nothing more than an action
what an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
you can change it all if you want to
my good leader what a self loving web you weave
i have got a son and a daughter
my young sailor what a point that you just can't see
don't you think that they need a father
so pull yourself together man, smaller man
and do it for a bigger man, bigger man
how easy it would be if we could know the plan
but really whats a plan?
The song "Right Ahead Young Sailor!" by Right Away Great Captain! seems to be a dialogue between two men, one older and seemingly more experienced, the other younger and less experienced. The first verse is addressed to a woman named Anna, whom the singer obviously has feelings for, but who seems to have rejected him. He is trying hard to be rational about his situation, but he cannot help feeling hurt by Anna's actions. He has tried drinking to ease the pain, but it hasn't worked. The chorus suggests that he could be the "bigger man" and let it go, but he is struggling with that idea.
In the second verse, the older man speaks to the younger sailor, urging him to see that love is more than just a feeling, but an action. He encourages the sailor to take charge of his life and make changes if he needs to. The older man also reflects on his own life, acknowledging that he has made mistakes, but reminding the younger man that he has responsibilities to his family that he cannot ignore. The song ends on a note of uncertainty, with the question of what the plan is.
Line by Line Meaning
oh sweet anna did you mean to do this to me
Anna, did you intend to cause this emotional pain for me?
ive been trying hard to be rational
I am attempting to handle this situation with logic and reason.
what a woman, what a woe that you give to me
You, Anna, are a source of both love and pain for me.
how long can i count to a thousand
How much longer can I handle this emotional pain?
i tried drinking but the bottle is still empty
I attempted to drown my sorrows in alcohol, but it didn't help.
i can only hope for a fresh one
I wish for a new bottle to continue my attempts to forget my pain.
you tried loving but i guess you could not love me
You, Anna, attempted to love me but apparently you were unable to do so.
how long can you count to a thousand
How much longer can you handle this pain and frustration in our relationship?
i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
I could try to be the more mature person in this situation.
yeah i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
Yes, I could rise above the situation and be the more mature person.
but i just want to kill a man kill a man
But instead, I feel like acting out in anger and violence.
really what's a bigger man?
What does it truly mean to be the more mature person in this situation?
oh young sailor do see you what your captain sees?
Do you, as my subordinate, understand the situation as well as I do?
love is nothing more than an action
Love is not just a feeling, but also requires conscious effort and action.
what an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
The world is vast and full of opportunities, even when at sea.
you can change it all if you want to
You have the power to make a difference and take control of your life.
my good leader what a self loving web you weave
You, as a leader, are creating a complex and self-centered situation.
i have got a son and a daughter
I have children who need a strong and present father figure in their lives.
my young sailor what a point that you just can't see
There is an important aspect of this situation that you are overlooking.
don't you think that they need a father
Don't you agree that my children deserve a loving and supportive father in their lives?
so pull yourself together man, smaller man
Get a grip on yourself and your emotions, be the more grounded and rational person in this situation.
and do it for a bigger man, bigger man
Do it not for yourself, but for the greater good of others.
how easy it would be if we could know the plan
It would be simpler if we had a clear and defined plan for how to handle this situation.
but really whats a plan?
However, plans are not always effective and situations can take unexpected turns.
Writer(s): John Andrew Hull Copyright: Good Things Bad People Music, Chrysalis Songs
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Music Lists
Oh sweet anna did you mean to do this to me
Ive been trying hard to be rational
What a woman, what a woe that you give to me
How long can i count to a thousand
I tried drinking but the bottle is still empty
I can only hope for a fresh one
You tried loving but i guess you could not love me
How long can you count to a thousand
I could be the bigger man, bigger man.
Yeah i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
But i just want to kill a man kill a man
Really what's a bigger man?
Oh young sailor do see you what your captain sees?
Love is nothing more than an action
What an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
You can change it all if you want to
My good leader what a self loving web you weave
I have got a son and a daughter
My young sailor what a point that you just can't see
Don't you think that they need a father
So pull yourself together man, smaller man
And do it for a bigger man, bigger man
How easy it would be if we could know the plan
But really whats a plan?
kelron koobis
This song has a very special place in my heart.
Alexandria Cheek
This song has stayed with me through hard times and happiness since middle school, and now came back to me 5 years later in college, and it reminds me of the wonderful man that I met. Thank you Andy Hull for all of your amazing music, in Manchester Orchestra and your side projects. I don't know where my life would be without your music. Now, I get to share my love for your music with another human being: my Zack. Thank you again.
Tyler F
Is it still with you?
Jahjavert
2020 and I'm here. Still so good
Sway_onthetrail
2022. Love pulling this one out at campfires.
deathcouch
One of Andy's best work, he's probably one of the most underrated song writers of this generation, Isaac Brock caliber. I'd like it if he hooked it up with another verse or two but he succeeds in keeping you wanting more.
cheekeebreekee
Andy Hull... possibly the greatest musician to grace this sphere.
Ian
I really hope Andy/Manchester Orchestra get their due one day. No one deserves it more in today's music.
Music Lists
Oh sweet anna did you mean to do this to me
Ive been trying hard to be rational
What a woman, what a woe that you give to me
How long can i count to a thousand
I tried drinking but the bottle is still empty
I can only hope for a fresh one
You tried loving but i guess you could not love me
How long can you count to a thousand
I could be the bigger man, bigger man.
Yeah i could be the bigger man, bigger man.
But i just want to kill a man kill a man
Really what's a bigger man?
Oh young sailor do see you what your captain sees?
Love is nothing more than an action
What an ocean, what a world, on the big blue seas
You can change it all if you want to
My good leader what a self loving web you weave
I have got a son and a daughter
My young sailor what a point that you just can't see
Don't you think that they need a father
So pull yourself together man, smaller man
And do it for a bigger man, bigger man
How easy it would be if we could know the plan
But really whats a plan?
Britt Felix
LOVE IT his voice is so amazing