The Music of Pirates: What Songs Would They Have Enjoyed in Reality?

While modern depictions of pirates often depict them listening to 'pirate music' such as Celtic tunes, the reality of a pirate's musical journey is quite different. Contrary to popular belief, an 18th-century pirate like the legendary Blackbeard, roaming the seas in a 1720s ship, might have enjoyed songs with a very different flavor. This article delves into the historical context and explores the kind of music pirates may have had on their minds and ears.

Pirate Music in the Modern Sense

One recent news story highlighted a Somali pirate found with a mobile phone loaded with Justin Bieber songs. This raises the question: what kind of music would a real pirate have listened to in the past? Historical evidence indicates that pirates did indeed have music, but this was quite different from the pop music of the modern era.

Music on the High Seas

Early pirates, such as those in the Caribbean during the 16th and 17th centuries, would have relied on live music rather than recorded music. With smartphones and iPods a distant imagining in their time, pirates would have had to entertain themselves with the sounds of real musicians. In places like Tortuga, a bustling pirate stronghold, there was no shortage of talented musicians playing the hits of the time.

Folk and Proud Songs

The real pirate music would have been centered around themes of the sea, adventure, and autocracy. Pirate songs would have been an integral part of their daily lives, reflecting the challenges and lifestyle of these swashbuckling marauders. Songs performed by pirates themselves, or by the real musicians in their midst, would have celebrated their exploits and their wild, untamed spirit.

Ambient Sea Sounds

Let's not forget the ambient sounds of the sea. For pirates, the rhythmic waves, the howling wind, and the cries of sea birds were as much a part of their environment as the music they played. These natural sounds would have contributed to the overall atmosphere of the ship, creating a backdrop for their raucous entertainment and storytelling sessions.

The Reality of a Pirate's Entertainment

Combining the excitement and bravado of their lives with the beauty and ruggedness of the sea, pirate songs were likely to be fiddle, banjo, and other simpler string instruments, reflecting the type of music that would have been played in taverns and ports where pirates would gather. These songs often told of heroic feats, battles, and the search for fortune and treasure. They were a means of celebrating both the ruggedness and the romance of the pirate lifestyle.

Conclusion

While we may now envision pirates listening to Celtic music or modern pop hits, the reality of a pirate's life included more traditional, adventurous, and sometimes simpler forms of music. Live performances by onboard musicians, often featuring instruments like fiddles and banjos, created a vibrant, improvisational musical atmosphere that reflected the dynamic and dangerous life of a pirate.

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