WoW Moviewatch: The Captain's Wife's Lament
by Michael Gray 
Oct 11th 2011 at 12:00PM
Work warning: This video is based on a single ribald pun. While it's not cursing per se, anyone who hears the song will get the innuendo immediately.
Kelly recommended today's staff favorite: The Captain's Wife's Lament. Originally a song performed by Paul and Storm, it was transcribed into machinima form by Spiffworld. Spiff is known for his brilliant interpretations of JoCo's work in video, and he gave the full treatment to The Captain's Wife's Lament.
The strength of the video is that it's a short, single-theme joke. Spiff dives right into the innuendo, has fun with the video, and doesn't artificially draw the video out any longer than needed. The Captain's Wife's Lament is fun and ripe for a quick laugh.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.Filed under: WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ronin Oct 11th 2011 12:18PM
"The strength of the video is that it's a short, single-theme joke."
That's also its weakness-- and it's on the level of toilet humor, to boot. Meaning it was shock-factor funny the first time (in a cringe-inducing kind of way), but really, once you've seen it, that's it. (Unless you're 14, then you might watch it over and over.)
I'm a bit surprised you're featuring it again.
Astoreth Oct 11th 2011 12:50PM
The song is best performed live, where P&S pause between each of the pre-punchline verses (sometimes each LINE) for silly pirate jokes and nonsense, basically turning this one-note joke into a musical shaggy dog story. It's a lot of fun.
Ronin Oct 11th 2011 1:03PM
That might make it better. Sorry, guys, I'm just not into hearing "semen" over and over. If you have to down-vote someone just because you disagree with them (even when they explain a valid viewpoint) then go right ahead.
Draelan Oct 11th 2011 1:13PM
Well, perhaps people would not have down-voted you if you had not implied that anyone who finds this video amusing beyond the first viewing is, presumably, an immature 14-year-old who still giggles at the mention of words like "semen"?
Ronin Oct 11th 2011 1:21PM
Perhaps. I didn't intend to insult anyone who likes it, but I see how it would come across that way.
Artificial Oct 11th 2011 1:44PM
It should be noted that what you're hearing over and over is "sea men". What else you might be thinking is... well... that's the point of innuendo, no? :) If it was actually "semen", it wouldn't be innuendo.
As Fadmin alludes to below, this really isn't any worse than half the stuff you hear belted out by minstrels in taverns at Renaissance festivals. Apparently this sort of humorous song (with precisely this level of "low" humor) was what passed for grand entertainment back in the day. It loses quite a bit, though, when it's viewed as performance to be watched -- the fun is in sharing the experience with the entire tavern, laughing and signing along while enjoying the comradery and the arguably essential ale/wine/mead/etc. It's utterly silly, and that's part of the fun. And if you've ever done it, you can't help but feel we've lost something in the transition to modern times. Too many people sitting in their own homes watching their individual screens rather than gathering together to do something collectively, even if it's just signing together an utterly stupid song. But I digress. Point being, its and old tradition that some of us think it's important to remember from time to time. Although possibly once a year is enough for this one... heh
mem0ryburn Oct 11th 2011 2:02PM
I'm really not into crude or gross-out humour, I mean when Cameron Diaz had the "seamen" in her hair I rolled my eyes and turned off the movie, but this song is catchy and fun, and it's about seamen, not semen. If he were actually singing about semen it would be crass and immature but he's not, he's singing about seamen, and that's crass and immature AND a little funny.
Hadn't heard this before, thanks for sharing! Us Newfoundlanders love our seafaring songs, and all the better if they're funny and leaning on the clever side of rude :P
Natsumi Oct 11th 2011 2:12PM
Yay story songs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5SqYpPsuaw
Ad134 Oct 12th 2011 6:38AM
The studio version of this song pales in comparison to when it's played live. Paul and Storm manage to turn the crowd into complete anarchy, and the song often lasts upwards of 10 minutes. Don't diss this version of the song, try and find a live version on youtube. They were FANTASTIC when I saw them. The "sea men" verse is only a small part of it live, the majority of the performance is P&S desperately struggling to get to that part. It's hilarious.
Pryn Oct 11th 2011 12:19PM
Oh no, its TOO CATHCY! I have a feeling I'll be singing this for the rest of the evening. Not exactly the sort of a tune the hubby will want to hear when he gets home from work XD
Natsumi Oct 11th 2011 2:03PM
Or maybe he will ;)
Fadmin Oct 11th 2011 12:26PM
More bawdy songs please! It's RenFaire season :-D
VioletArrows Oct 11th 2011 1:34PM
This should've been the anthem to Pirate's Day. :p
Natsumi Oct 11th 2011 2:04PM
Do these guys to traditional Irish Folk music? I absolutely love that stuff.
Chris Gonzalez Oct 11th 2011 3:08PM
This is about as close as they get:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bcYyW-ibfw
Astoreth Oct 11th 2011 3:11PM
More like geek folk-rock.
RetPallyJil Oct 11th 2011 2:13PM
I generally steer towards the less-ribald side of humor, but that was cute and very well-done :D
(I'll take a side order of the blood elf pirate, thanks)
Randy* Oct 11th 2011 2:30PM
Seamen.... hehe....
And I'm 52.
I first heard this song a couple of years ago and it's still on my favorites on YouTube. It's fun to think of seamen everywhere!
Chris Gonzalez Oct 11th 2011 3:05PM
It's really wonderful live. Paul and Storm are more of a comedic act than a musical one, but they still make a great show. You should have included a link to a live version in the original post.
Their "________ is the name of my _________ cover band" banter alone is worth the ticket price, honestly.
Cadychan Oct 11th 2011 7:54PM
This is my silly recommendation. I still find it funny, and yes, I have seen it live. I don't think P&S liked us Vancouverites very much...we got a little carried away. XD
I think "premature ARRRR" is still my favourite line...