Track · Mar 15, 2026 · English

The Devil’s Wake

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Duration

3:21

Language

English

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

We slipped from the spit in the gray of the dawn

Capstan creaked low as we hauled

Salt in our teeth and the tar in our lungs

Answering nobody’s call

Name on the bow had been hammered away

Like someone had something to hide

Only the gulls and the powder-black waves

Knew who we were that tide

[Chorus]

Heave

My lads

For the devil’s wake

Pull that rope till your shoulders break

If the sea wants blood

It’s the sea that takes

Row

You bastards

Row

You bastards

Row

[Verse 2]

First watch I saw him stand aft by the rail

Eyes like a lantern gone cold

Captain they called him

But whispers below

Spoke softer

Of silver and gold

Chart on his table was spotted with stains

Red that no rain ever cleared

Each little cross where a good ship went down

Marked by the bones of his peers

[Chorus]

Heave

My lads

For the devil’s wake

Pull that rope till your shoulders break

If the sea wants blood

It’s the sea that takes

Row

You bastards

Row

You bastards

Row

[Bridge]

Storm took our mast like a toy in its hand

Barrels broke loose in the black

Captain just laughed as the sea climbed aboard

“Pay what you owe

Don’t look back”

Flash of his grin as the lightning came down

Showed more than a man in his face

Swore on my soul as I clung to that rope

I’d seen hell’s master made flesh in that place

[Chorus]

Heave

My lads

For the devil’s wake

Pull that rope till your shoulders break

If the sea wants blood

It’s the sea that takes

Row

You bastards

Row

You bastards

Row

[Outro]

So if you sight canvas that carries no name

Turn your own keel from her track

Some debts are deeper than any man’s grave

Some captains never come back

Heave

My lads

For the devil’s wake

Row

And don’t look back

Style

folkgritty acoustic sea shanty in a minor keybaritone male lead with gruff chorus gang vocals. stomps and oar-like claps drive a strict rowing pulseframe drum and low fiddle drones underpin the verses. call-and-response hooks in the chorus swell with stacked harmonies; final pass pushes the vocal into a rawshouted climax over droning fiddle and bodhrán thump.acousticballadshantyvocalrhythmicenglish

Prompt

Traditional maritime sea shanty, baritone male vocal lead with chorus backing, rhythmic rowing tempo, acoustic folk, 18th-century naval ballad, minor key, gritty and weathered vocals, storytelling

Credits

Prompt by

HamCheck

GeneratedMar 15, 2026

ModelZona