Blackeye's Song was a fully voice-acted musical interlude that would have featured in Dream[1], presumably in the N64 iteration of the game given the storage space that its audio files would've required. The song was composed by Grant Kirkhope and primarily sung by Leigh Ray[2], one of the game's artists who was quite good at sounding salty an' scurvy-ridden. The song functioned as an introduction to Captain Blackeye's character, and the sequence featured motion-captured animation. Apparently the team really enjoyed recording the song - it's likely all of them joined in when singing the chorus! The sequence inspired Banjo-Kazooie's intro concert, which at one point also featured voice acting and motion-captured animation (the latter of which is still partially present in some of Banjo's hip gyrations).[3] The song's lyrics were shared by Gregg Mayles in 2017.[4]
Music[]
Grant Kirkhope has confirmed that the score for this piece is not the "Blackeye" track that he uploaded to his website - it was a separate track.[5] Grant has been unable to find the sound samples used for the song's voice acting/singing, but it seems he believes they still exist somewhere.
Lyrics[]
Verse 1 Blackeye's me name Piratin's me game There ain't no-one can stop me One man who tried made me lose me eye Now he rests at the bottom of the sea Wind in me sails Scurvy sea-man's tales There ain't nothin' I likes better Treasure ahoy Enough for all me boys… well After I gets mine first Chorus (sung by crew) Blackeye, Blackeye Somebody help us please Blackeye, Blackeye Lock him up throw away the key (Spoken) What's all this "lock me up" nonsense? I'll keel hawl the lot o' ye! Verse 2 Through wind and rain Me seamen take the strain A seadog's life's a hard one But I'll keep them in check While I'm safe below the decks Keeping me eye on the grog Chorus (sung by crew) Blackeye, Blackeye His grog never stops its flow Blackeye, Blackeye Listen !#$? there she blows Chorus (sung by crew) Blackeye, Blackeye Always munching pies Blackeye, Blackeye Lean right !#$? or we'll all capsize
Alternate/Additional Lyrics[]
These lyrics were written in pencil on the lyrics sheet - it seems likely that they're updated versions of the printed verses, though its also possible that they're verse variants and both versions are supposed to be sung.
Through wind 'n rain I take all the strain A seadog's life's a hard slog But they'll keep it in check Whale I'm safe below the deck Keeping an eye on our grog On drinkin' there's a ban But I'm workin' on a plan So I'll have a mug or two Time for a snooze T' work off the booze Then back t' work… yawn… after I've 'ad another few On drinkin' there's a ban But I'm working on a plan So I'm 'aving a drink or five