Title: Character Over Paper Arrangement: A Cappella Pirate Folk Quartet Vocal Roles: Voice 1 (Captain / Lead — low, rough, belted alto, NOT soprano): Sharp, weathered, narrative lead. Voice 2 (Tenor): High counter-melodies, rhythmic syncopation. Voice 3 (Baritone): Story responses, mid-range anchor. Voice 4 (Bass): Deep percussive engine, drone, low rhythmic foundation. Bass: Boots-kah, boots-kah, tide and stone Boots-kah, boots-kah, flesh and bone Tenor & Baritone: Ooh... the sea takes hold, the sea takes hold... Captain: Sixteen years old, just had my first bleed Educated well, but they only saw greed Traded like cattle just to lift up a name— Baritone & Tenor: A subject of payment in a nobleman's game! Captain: They value the paper you hold in your hand How you hoard, how you steal, how you conquer the land Not the warmth of affection or character built— Bass: Just the land that you grab... Tenor & Baritone: ...and the blood that you spill! Captain: So I turned my back on the dirt and the soil Left their deeds and their titles to rot in their oil! Captain: What do you say, clan? What is your word? Bass, Baritone, Tenor: We're the truest family you've ever heard! No master, no cattle, no subjects, no slaves We build our own kingdom right here on the waves! Captain: I will fight to my last breath to keep you beside me! Tenor: And the sea will guide! Baritone: And the sea will guide! Bass: By your side, by your side! Captain: What do we value when we ride on the tide? Baritone & Tenor: The kin at our back and the truth that we hide! Captain: What do they value when they stand on the clay? Bass & Baritone: The paper they hoard and the weak that they slay! Captain: Never a coup, or you'll carry the curse! All Four: Protect every friend! Put the family first! Heave! Heave! Heave! Captain: Now listen up, crew, I've got a design A trick for this pompous old Kibbles of mine He thinks he can buy me, he thinks he's in charge— Tenor: Thinking your hand makes his station look large! Captain: We play along smooth for a single full year Build us a stronghold with nothing to fear A castle right here with the waves at the floor And a route to the sea from the basement door! Baritone & Bass: A trap in the cellar, a door to the deep... Captain: Let him think that he won till twelve months pass by— Then we kick his ass out to the dirt where he'll die! Bass: We outsmart the land... Boots-kah, boots-kah... Baritone: Not a dime for a deed, not a coin for a hand... Tenor: Hit the waves, make the memories, take to the sand... Captain: We are the sea—and we rule this land! All Four: FAM-I-LY!
