RRR vs. Arrgh

I consider three consecutive capital R’s to be one of my trademarks. It appears in several of my songs including the title track of my “Give Me an RRR!” CD. I was initially inspired by the pirate joke that I’ve heard more than any other: “why couldn’t the young pirate go to the movie… because it was rated… R (or arrgh as the phonetic equivalent)”. With my spelling, I wanted to set myself apart from other pirates, while at the same time opening up possibilities for usage of words with the ‘R’ sound in an educational and entertaining way. For instance: "Pirates navigate by the North... ?", "Pirates drink their grog from an old fruit... ?", "Pirates in a fight often get a... ?", and "Pirates like their feathers mixed with... ?".

If you would RRRgue for the traditional Arrgh, you would do well to refer to The Pirate Primer – Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers and Rogues , where George Choundas dedicates a whole chapter to Arrgh.  He says the pronunciation of “arrgh” is “arrr” not “arg”. He also credits Robert Newton, famous for his depiction of Long John Silver in the 1950 version the Treasure Island, with popularizing the expression. In one movie, Newton said “arrgh” 50 times!

Which side RRR you on?

Scurvy Dog and Scaredy Cat

I'd like to ruminnate, to cogitate, to fathom (oooo... good pirate word) and to reckon on this oft-overlooked (even by me) song from my CD "Give Me an  RRR!"

In normal pirate lingo, Scurvy Dog can either be an insult or a term of endearment about a person. In this instance I have taken Dog to literally mean a canine, and I mean Scurvy in the nicest possible way. After all, I am a Friendly Pirate.

The image of Scurvy Dog in my drawing above, is inspired by our neighbor's dog Oliver who is an amiable terrier-mix. Scaredy is my depiction of our black cat Pookah, who used to jump at her own shadow, but now rules the house with an iron paw.

In the Colonial era many animals rode on pirate ships and ships in general. Parrots and monkeys came from lands considered exotic to Europeans. Common domesticated animals such as horses, cows, chickens (prized for their cackle fruit) and dogs made the journey to the New World to assist their humans in a new life. Our friend the cat must have been especially helpful when it came to an unwanted stow-away... the rat.

In a fit of anthropomorphism (how often does one get to use that word?) I have given my Dog & Cat some human traits. Although, one could argue that humans have adapted animal traits. Anywho, Scurvy wears (Carmen) Miranda's bananas and Scaredy wears the cat's pajamas, among other activities.

My friend Betty informs me that her friend, who is a children's nutritionist, is using this as a teaching song (as well as Hungry Pirate).  It must be in reference to Scurvy Dog's scurvy. Most folks will know that vitamin C found in oranges, lemons, limes, and even apples, prevents this seafaring affliction.

Musically, this was one of the easiest songs for me to write, and is one of the most enjoyable to play. Despite his kids' disagreement and perhaps embrassment, this is my friend Jay's favorite song from the CD.

When singing the chorus it goes like this:
DOG: Bow-wow
CAT: Me-ow
JAMES BROWN: OooooowwwWWW!

That's it for now, I gotta get on the good foot (or is that the good paw?).

Lake Champlain Maritime Festival August 9th-12th

I met last night with Mike, Jerry, and Lisa of the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival and I am pleased to announce that yours truly, Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate, will be the face and voice of this year's Festival! The best part is that our ships are on parallel courses. I try to impart friendly, entertaining, and educational messages with my music and performances, and the LCMF folks are promoting the aesthetic, recreational, and environmental aspects of Lake Champlain.

On Saturday, August 11th starting at 9am, there will be a Pirate 5K. Dress in yer best Buccaneer Gear and run like yer being chased by a cannonball. You'll be able to get a photo with me after yer photo finish.

I am so proud to be on board with this crew!

More missives about this great event in the near future.

Gloucester, Massachussetts

The Eastern Point Crew gathers for a freindly photo op.

Gloucester has several claims to fame including being the oldest seaport in the US,

 and as the setting for book and the film of the Perfect Storm.

I recently performed in the historic city of Gloucester. I was at the Eastern Point Day School which is located near a beach where you can see Boston in the distance. The school itself is in a fabulous old house situated above a huge rock formation. I wish I could have gone to school in such a setting. The kids, parents, and teachers were maRRRvelous. Special Seafarin' Salutations to Michelle, and especailly Tami!

I was able to tour the city (actually I was lost). While naviagting my way to Eastern Point, I observed that Gloucester is a working seaport... with plenty of  places to get fried calms. There are mansions beside the sea, Cape-style houses, and Colonial-era buildings - all along winding lanes - which makes it it chock full o' charm.

If you haven't been to this Cape Ann city on the North Shore, I would highly suggest you visit. I know I shall return, and dock the Friend Ship in this friendly port.   

Lobster cages by the shore.





Whirly Wind & Whirly Gigs

Twas a whirly wind that took the Friend Ship sailin' 'round the Northeastern United States. Off the starborad of the seaboard, if you will.

Me first port-o-call was the Pearl Rhodes School (perfect for the brother of Pearl the Purple Pirate Princess) in the Pioneer Valley of Massachussetts. It was Dress Like a Pirate Day and nearly all the students and teachers were sporting their seafarin' fashions and in some cases fake facial hair. Of course we sang, jigged, and joked like pirates - RRR! It was also a fundraiser for the Leyden Library, which I'm told, made its gold.

Then I followed the south bound currents to NYC (Enn Why Sea, the Big Apple, Gotham City, the City that never sleeps) for my Broadway Debut. Well, it wasn't exactly 'on Broaway', but an anchor's throw away - the Upper West Side between West End Ave. and Broadway. It was a party for Jolly Josh the Birthday Buccaneer. My back-up singers Talia and Valli were on board too. All the attendees received a treasure box with cookies, doubloons, and a "Give Me an RRR!" CD.

Finally I docked at Fields Elementary School in Connecticut for two rousing shows. The audience was Pre-K to 5th Grade. The older kids were initally sceptical but I eventually won them over. This was further proof that my pirate show works GREAT in schools, even with those unfamilar with me music. Don't tell anybody that me songs are educational and deal with language usage, values, and history, among other subjects. 

So, I'm pleased to tell ye the first (peg) leg of me World Tour was a smashing success. I even broke even - what are the 'odds' on that - haRRRdy haRRR. Special thanks to Stephanie, Betty, Andy, Jessica, Jocelyn, Karla, and Jeff!

Clear the gangplank - more Whirly Gigs are on the way!

April 26th, 1717

295 years ago today, the pirate ship the Whydah encountered a fierce storm, and sunk off the coast of Cape Cod. 28 years ago, Barry Clifford salvaged that same ship from its sandy and briney resting place. 2 years ago, Jim Cunningham, the docent of the Whydah Pirate Museum, decided to sell a CD called "Give Me an RRR!" by Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate. In honor of these events I have written a song (mostly accurate) about the ship and its captain. To paraphrase what they say in the biz... "read it, and weep".

1717 (Black Sam Bellamy)

Spoken: come with me to the Golden Age of Pirates…

born in Old England, was Sam Bellamy

he came to Cape Cod across the sea

to see the New World and make a new start

then he saw her face and he lost his heart

to win her hand he went sailing for gold

southward to Florida, he was so bold

but having no luck he went on Account

for pirate treasure stolen or found

These tales they tell-a-me of Black Sam Bellamy

and 1717, hey-ho, 1717

his crew came from countries all over the world

but they had one cause when Roger unfurled

with John Julian, a Honduran man

from Wales, Thomas Davis, hammer in hand

with Hendrick Quintor, African Dutch

of sailing and ships he knew so much

and Little John King - eleven years old

left Mama’s side for pirates and gold

            These tales they tell-a-me of Black Sam Bellamy

and 1717, hey-ho, 1717

the crew had a vote and the Captain was fair

‘cause they signed the Articles, all who were there

when in the Bahamas they spied with their eyes

the galley the Whydah and she was a prize

she was a ship in the Triangle Trade

transporting humans to sell them as slaves

they captured the Whydah, and loot, it was seized

but her crew and her passengers, all were released

           These tales they tell-a-me of Black Sam Bellamy

and 1717, hey-ho, 1717

back to New England for unfinished deeds

the Captain and Whydah they went with such speed

her name was Maria and Sam loved her so

he longed to see her but naught did he know

a wicked nor’easter on April Two Six

took all but a few, turned timber to sticks

went down with his ship – Captain Sam Bellamy

Prince of the Pirates, Robin Hood of the Sea

          These tales they tell-a-me of Black Sam Bellamy

          and 1717, hey-ho, 1717

By RRR Carter © 2012

Pictured below - Whydah Pirate Museum, next to the Whale Watch, Provincetown, MA.

Lights, Camera, RRR!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Pirates & Princesses!! You RRR invited to be in

Music Videos with Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate!!!

Matt Richardson of  Bear Pond Productions (photo above), assisted by Nick Stefani will be directing this production with 3 cameras filming 9 songs performed by 100 pirates (and 2 ballerinas). Matt and Nick recently produced a wonderful piece with Itzak Pearlman at the Stowe Performing Arts Center. A historic hand-painted curatin depicting a castle by a bay with a sailing ship, will serve as a visual buccaneer backdrop. I plan to post all of the songs on YouTube and produce a DVD. Because I'll be miming to the songs, I'm thinking of calling the collection "Loose Ships Lip Sync"!  

If ye be on board, pirate costumes, props and signs are not required, but encouraged, and Pirate attitude is mandatory! If you are a Princess -  put on PURPLE... please, oh pretty please with pears, peaches, pumpkins, parsnip, pickles, and peanut butter on top. This is an all ages show 1 - 101 yrs old (that means Buccaneer Babies like Anastasia). Kids bring your parents.  

Songs from the "Give Me an RRR!" CD to be filmed include: I’m the Friendly Pirate, Pearl the Purple Pirate Princess, Aweigh and a Hey, Buccaneer Bounce, Seven C’s, Twinkle Twinkle Little StaRRR, Cranky Pirate, Give Me an RRR!, and FP Dance.

WHEN: Sunday, April 22^nd from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

WHERE: Cambridge Elementary School Gym, Jeffersonville, VT

CONTACT: RockinRonCarter@gmail.com