The what and why of Black Freighter
Productions
Nina Simone
1933-2003
"Pirate Jenny"
You people can watch while I’m scrubbing these floors
And I’m scrubbin’ the floors while you’re gawking
Maybe once ya tip me and it makes ya feel swell
In this crummy southern town
In this crummy old hotel
But you’ll never guess to who you’re talking.
No. you couldn’t ever guess to who you’re talking.

Then one night there’s a scream in the night
And you’ll wonder who could that have been
And you see me kinda grinnin’ while I’m scrubbin’
And you say, what she got to grin?

I’ll tell ya.

There’s a ship
The black freighter
With a skull on it’s masthead
Will be comin’ in

You gentlemen can say, hey gal, finish them floors!
Get upstairs! what’s wrong with you! earn your keep
here!
And you toss me your tips
And look out to the ships
But I’m counting your heads
As I’m making the beds
Cuz there’s nobody gonna sleep here, tonight!
Nobody’s gonna sleep here, honey
Nobody
Nobody

Then one night there’s a scream in the night
And you say, who’s that kicking up a row?
And ya see me kinda starin’ out the winda
And you say, what she got to stare at now?
I’ll tell you.

There’s a ship
The black freighter
Turns around in the harbor
Shootin’ guns from her bow

Now, you gentlemen can wipe off that smile off your face
Cause every building in town is a flat one
This whole frickin’ place will be down to the ground
Only this cheap hotel standing up safe and sound
And you yell, why do they spare that one?
Yes.
That’s what you say.
Why do they spare that one?

All the night through, through the noise and to-do
You wonder who is that person that lives up there?
And you see me stepping out in the morning
Looking nice with a ribbon in my hair

And the ship
The black freighter
Runs a flag up it’s masthead
And a cheer rings the air

By noontime the dock
Is a-swarmin’ with men
Comin’ out from the ghostly freighter
They're moving in the shadows
Where no one can see
And they’re chainin’ up people
And they’re bringin’ em to me
Askin’ me,
Kill them now, or later?!

Asking me
Kill them now, or later?

Noon by the clock
And so still at the dock
You can hear a foghorn miles away
And in that quiet of death
I’ll say, right now
Right now

Then they pile up the bodies
And I say,
That’ll learn ya!

And the ship
The black freighter
Disappears out to sea

And
On
It
Is
Me
Nina Simone's cover of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's  "Pirate
Jenny" - maybe you've heard it, maybe not?
However, if, by chance, you have heard it - you certainly did
not forget it. For those of you who have, and for those who
have not - take a moment to read the lyrics.

Weill and Brecht's composition about the embittered
chambermaid, Pirate Jenny's oppressive unhappiness is what
Black Freighter Productions' president would hear every time
she listened to underestimated artists vent their frustrations
about being without proper help.

BFP's president feels that Simone's vocalization of the rage
and discontent Pirate Jenny feels echoes the angry cries of
belittled artists.

This element of the song inspired the conception of Black
Freighter Productions (BFP) because it is effectual in its
allegorical description of, not only, the plight of
misunderstood, neglected artists, but also the necessary
take-charge actions that all artists must ultimately execute to
liberate themselves.  

Artists!, that is why help is on the way - your very own black
freighter is here to rescue you.

Incorporated in 2003, Black Freighter Productions (BFP) is
designed to serve artists whose ambitions and talents exceed
their exposure and public appreciation.

BFP's sole purpose is to help artists turn what is private into
what is public. Your art will be transformed from hazy ideas to
actual products. Unearth your scraps of paper, half-written
manuscripts, and  boxed images. BFP will critique, analyze,
and revolutionize your art into everything you want it to be
and more.

With help from the BFP staff, you - yes, you! - Pirate Jenny
and Pirate James, will have a completed, polished product
with a website and logo intact.

BFP's intelligent, compassionate professionals study, live,  
dream, and create art. Being dedicated to taking your art to
the next level is our goal.

Welcome Aboard Black Freighter
Productions!