The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all, you've seen it all
Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam
And in your belly, you hold the treasures few have ever seen
Most of 'em dream, most of 'em dream
Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late
The cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder
I'm an over-forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late
I've done a bit of smugglin', and I've run my share of grass
I made enough money to buy Miami, but I pissed it away so fast
Never meant to last, never meant to last
And I have been drunk now for over two weeks
I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks
But I got stop wishin', got to go fishin'
Down to rock bottom again
Just a few friends, just a few friends
And I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
Though I ran 'em away, they'd come back one day
Still could manage to smile
Just takes a while, just takes a while
Mother, mother ocean, after all the years I've found
My occupational hazard being my occupation's just not around
And I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all, you've seen it all
Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam
And in your belly, you hold the treasures few have ever seen
Most of 'em dream, most of 'em dream
Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late
The cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder
I'm an over-forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late
I've done a bit of smugglin', and I've run my share of grass
I made enough money to buy Miami, but I pissed it away so fast
Never meant to last, never meant to last
And I have been drunk now for over two weeks
I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks
But I got stop wishin', got to go fishin'
Down to rock bottom again
Just a few friends, just a few friends
And I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
Though I ran 'em away, they'd come back one day
Still could manage to smile
Just takes a while, just takes a while
Mother, mother ocean, after all the years I've found
My occupational hazard being my occupation's just not around
And I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
A Pirate Looks at Forty Lyrics as written by Jimmy Buffett
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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This is without a doubt one of my favorite Buffett songs. The lyrics are soothing yet make you smile with the wit Buffett puts into the words. This song is NOT about Buffett. It's about Captain Tony Terricino, Key West's mayor.
I think you're wrong.... this song IS about buffett. Something like 90% of his songs are autobiographical. At one point in his life he smuggled weed into the keys on a boat. I think it was after he left Texas.
@Gimpy Jim Not about Buffett. He long ago described the guy it was about.
He longs to be something he can't be. He's a pirate at heart but since he was born in the present he can't be what his heart's calling him to be. It's kinda sad.. but it's an AWESOME song.
this song comes to mind whenever im leaving the coastline to return to ohio. now if thats not a reason to get drunk for two weeks i dont know what is.
Last Mango in Paris is about Captain Tony. It even says so in the song.
The song isn't about Captain Tony, but rather a guy named Phil Clarke, a bartender at the infamous "Chart Room" bar in Key West who was also mentioned in "Nautical Wheelers."
I don't carr who this ongs about it fuckin rocks.
I love this song.
I feel the same he does... (The entire song)
"Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late. The cannons don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder I'm an over forty victim of fate Arriving too late, arriving too late."
this song is about phil clarke, who worked in the chart room bar, he disappeared one day...and washed up in california. they flew his body back to the keys.
I think this is about getting older and reminiscing.