"My Jolly Sailor Bold" is an old sea shanty used in the 17-1800s. In Disney media, it was originally used as a song featured in the 2011 Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, also heard in a temporary version of the Disneyland nighttime show World of Color in 2011, as well as a temporary 2012 update to the attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.
Background[]
"My Jolly Sailor Bold" is first sung by Scrum and the patrons of the Captain's Daughter tavern after Jack Sparrow escapes from the redcoats in London. Later, at Whitecap Bay, the zombie Gunner used his pistol to force Scrum and a longboat full of Blackbeard's crew, including Philip Swift, Ezekiel, Derrick, and Cabin Boy, to sing "My Jolly Sailor Bold" in an attempt to lure mermaids. At the sight of their first mermaid, Tamara, Scrum is enticed while his shipmates are more cautious of her lethal charms as she sings the song. Tamara continues to sing as more mermaids appear, with Scrum falling in love with her, only to notice Tamara's sharp teeth to signify it as a trap where the mermaids attempt to drown the crew members on boat.
Lyrics[]
My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,
There is nothing that can console me, but my jolly sailor bold
Come all you pretty fair maids, whoever you may be
Who love a jolly sailor bold that ploughs the raging sea
My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,
There is nothing that can console me, but my jolly sailor bold
My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,
There is nothing that can console me, but my jolly sailor bold
Upon one summer's morning, I carelessly did stray,
Down by the Walls of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay,
Conversing with a bouncing lass, who seem'd to be in pain,
Saying, William, when you go, I fear you will ne'er return again
His hair it does in ringlets hang, his eyes as black as sloes,
May happiness attend him wherever he goes,
From Tower Hill, down to Blackwall, I will wander, weep and moan,
All for my jolly sailor bold, until he does return
My father is a merchant—the truth I now will tell,
And in great London City in opulence doth dwell,
His fortune doth exceed ₤300,000 in gold,
And he frowns upon his daughter, 'cause she loves a sailor bold
A fig for his riches, his merchandise, and gold,
True love is grafted in my heart; give me my sailor bold
Should he return in poverty, from o'er the ocean far,
To my tender bosom, I'll fondly press my jolly tar
My sailor is as smiling as the pleasant month of May,
And oft we have wandered through Ratcliffe Highway,
Where many a pretty blooming girl we happy did behold,
Reclining on the bosom of her jolly sailor bold
Come all you pretty fair maids, whoever you may be
Who love a jolly sailor bold that ploughs the raging sea,
While up aloft, in storm or gale, from me his absence mourn,
And firmly pray, arrive the day, he home will safe return
My name it is Maria, a merchant's daughter fair,
And I have left my parents and three thousand pounds a year,
My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,
There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold
Trivia[]
- Although the song was featured in On Stranger Tides, it is not included in the aforementioned film's soundtrack.
