Mean Mary - Death And The Maiden
CAPO: 3rd Fret
[Intro]
Am F Am C G Am
[Verse 1]
G Am G Am
The Maiden weighed anchor at her last port of call
G Am G Am
Jenny ran down the docks, late for the Ball
G Am G Am
Her father yelled, "Jenny, be back by midnight
G Em Am G Am
For the Maiden, she sails in the morning’s half-light"
[Verse 2]
G Am G Am
She didn’t turn back, just waved her hand
C G Em Am G Am
Already hearing the drums of the band
G Am G Am
They were washing the streets with whiskey and wine
G Em Am G Am
When she reached the Ball, the clock struck nine
[Verse 3]
G Am G Am
She wore a mask made from black-feathered doves
G Am G Am
A crimson dress and long black gloves
C G Am G C G
She kicked off her shoes and danced on her toes
Am C Em Am G Am
With her hair blowing wherever night winds chose
[Chorus]
G C G C G
She saw an angel, a devil, a cat and a clown
C G Am G Am G
A bird with no wings and a king with no crown
Am G C G C G
Dancers flowed like water on the square
Am G Em Am
Then parted like waves and a man stood there
[Interlude]
Am F Am C G Am G Am
[Verse 4]
G Am G Am
He wore a plain black mask like a second skin
G Am G Am
It covered his face from forehead to chin
G Am G Am
Oh, she could taste in the wind, the salt of the sea
G Em Am G Am
And his eyes were as blue and his manner as free
[Verse 5]
G Am G Am
He said, "Jenny, as always, you’re lovely, my dear
C G Em Am G Am
As for me, I’ve aged another sad year"
G Am G Am
With a plead in his voice and a need in his stance
G Em Am G Am
"Jenny Mackay, honour me with a dance"
[Verse 6]
G Am G Am
She didn’t know how he knew her name
G Am G Am
But something inside her lit like a flame
C G Am G C G
And it seemed that this moment was destined to be
Am C Em Am G Am
So she danced with him there, on the square, by the sea
[Chorus]
G C G C G
She was drunk, drunk, drunk by the moon
C G Am G Am
Had they danced for hours or just that one tune?
G C G C G
She could have danced, danced, danced all night
Am G Em Am
But the Maiden must sail in the morning’s half-light
[Interlude]
Am F Am C G Am G Am
[Verse 7]
G Am G Am
He said, "Jenny Mackay, does it bring you joy
G Am G Am
To dance with the man you tried to destroy?"
G Am G Am
Then he took off his mask, and she took in a breath
G Em Am G Am
It was Captain Leroux of the ship known as Death
[Verse 8]
G Am G Am
The clock struck 12, he stood stone still
C G Em Am G Am
He said, "One fateful night off the coast of Brazil
G Am G Am
The pirate ship, Maiden, came looking for me
G Em Am G Am
Captain Mackay and his daughter, Jenny"
[Verse 9]
G Am G Am
"I’d danced with you once at this Bal Masque
G Am G Am
I never knew then you were Jenny Mackay
C G Am G C G
You burned half my ship, took the lives of my crew
Am C Em Am G Am
And there on my deck, tried to take my life too"
[Chorus]
G C G C G
"The cannons blazed and the waves grew higher
C G Am G Am
There was blood in the sky and the sea was on fire
G C G C G
Never again will such a night be
Am G Em Am
As when Death and the Maiden danced in the sea"
[Interlude]
Am F Am C G Am G Am
[Verse 10]
G Am G Am
"A shot from my pistol bloodied your dress
G Am G Am
You fell in my arms with a lady’s finesse
G Am G Am
Then ran your cold steel from my forehead to chin"
G Em Am G Am
And said to me softly, "I’ll see you again"
[Verse 11]
G Am G Am
She touched her hand to the scar on his face
G Em Am G Am
For a second it faded leaving no trace
G Em Am G Am
Then she kissed him one time, like her lips were a brand
G Em Am G Am
Then slipped from his grasp, like water through sand
[Chorus]
G C G C G
Now the Maiden she sails with ghosts on her decks
C G Am G Am
She’ll sail forever, this world or the next
G C G C G
Searching for Death below and above
Am G Em Am
But one night a year, Jenny dances her love
[Outro] (fade to end)
Am G Am G Am G Am G Am G Am G