FAWM: "Turnagain Coat"

Turnagain Coat

2025 by @kdogg · @fireball · @bentamanda

Liner Notes

The lyrics to this song have been adapted by lyrics written by the amazing and insanely prolific, Willis Fireball. It is always an honor to collab with the Fball who is a true legend here in FAWMland and also in Fairbanks, Alaska. So legendary in fact, that one time, I made a film about him. It was a bit of a mockumentary, but it was pretty fabulous. I have it around here somewhere. Anyhoo. We took it upon ourselves to do some rewrites because

We didn't want to sing all those words (they are pretty impressive though and perhaps Fireball will do a version with his original lyrics. 100% historically accurate as far as we could tell.)
We had some strong feelings about why this story was being told...I mean. I'm sure WIlliam Bligh was a nice fella, but we couldn't really relate. So. This is what happened. Hopefully Fireball isn't too offended. 😬 My pals Amanda (vocals) and Maggie (on accordion and vocals) made this a real swashbuckling ditty. We did actually learn a lot about William Bligh in the process. More than we probably ever wanted to know, but there you have it. #seashanty #HIStory #accordion #bangersandmosh

Lyrics

Went to sea at the age of seven, grew up a cabin boy By sixteen I was on the Hunter, living the sailor’s joy

Why should we care why should we care why should we care about any of this Your righteous pride is a bloody back eye on a history much longer than any one guy

Why should we care why should we care get back on your boat Your righteous pride is bloody black eye on the white of your turnagain coat

In 76 I was one of the picks for the 3rd voyage of Cook (oh Look!) Alaskan waters were mine to name and for this I at least take part of the blame He put the meat in the Sandwich of the Sandwich isles and the natives took a bite So I took the resolution and guided her back over many a long night.

Why should we care why should we care why should we care about any of this Your righteous pride is a bloody back eye on a history much longer than any one guy

Why should we care why should we care get back on your boat Your righteous pride is bloody black eye on the white of your turnagain coat

Four years and four years more The jobs dried up and I waited on shore I took the Bounty on a breadfruit cruise with that bastard Fletcher Christian

He said I was mean and the crew agreed and they mutinied my ass They took my ship and set me adrift for 3,600 miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles

Why should we care why should we care why should we care about any of this Your righteous pride is a bloody back eye on a history much longer than any one guy

Why should we care why should we care get back on your boat Your righteous pride is bloody black eye on the white of your turnagain coat

I fought a few wars on the land and sea, and won a medal or two ---or three

Next I sailed down unda where I became the govna The rum rebellion didn’t fail they tried to through me into jail But when you are a sailor no land locked jail contains ya

Why should we care why should we care why should we care about any of this Your righteous pride is a bloody back eye on a history much longer than any one guy

Why should we care why should we care get back on your boat Your righteous pride is bloody black eye on the white of your turnagain coat

I was a sailor around the world my trips were legendary And Jules Verne wrote a book in French among the many many many

Mel Gibson played Fletcher and he was so young and hot Anthony Hopkins played me, and I was nooooooooooooooot