Captain Chancey

Captain Chancey...somehow

Among his many endeavors, Joshua Wentz does a somewhat improvised music project every once in a while that he calls Winchester Sessions. I asked to try to get in on one of these sessions in a remotely-collaborative way (stretching the improvisational nature to its seams) and the result is a song called “Captain Chancey.”

Well, it turned out pretty neat and a little crazy, but thus is the nature of the beast when you’re in Winchester territory. I may eventually come pester Josh to let us give the song a remix treatment.  (You hear that, Josh!) But in the meantime, enjoy it how it is:


That’s me on voice and guitar with Josh providing everything else.

And here are the lyrics:

Captain Chancey

And after the adventure,
the children came to see
the little man and little lady
nestled in their cage.
Oh what an adventure
the captain must have had!
Exotic toys for girls and boys
singing catch me if you can!

Where does Chancey go,
trav’ling to and fro?
Oh the lovely things he brings for us!
Does he journey north?
Does he voyage south?
Does he sail the seven seas of Rhye or travel to the stars?

Step up, little Jeffrey,
I’ve a gift for you!
How’d you like a wind-up fire engine
that knows a thing or two…about fire!
And there’s little Katie!
I bet she’d love a dolly.
She’s a fussy eater, a fussy sleeper,
and she grows up just so fast!

Where does Chancey go?
We all want to know,
but he will not say a word.
(Please tell us, Captain Chancey!)
Does he sojourn east
or chase the setting sun?
Does he delve into the ocean deep or sail amongst the clouds?

Oh, children, stand clear
for Captain Chancey decked in fancy regalia from some distant shore.
Come on, children, let’s cheer,
for Captain Chancey’s come to bestow everyone with presents like you’ve never seen

Oh, gather ’round you children;
the time has finally come
to let you in on secret tales
and learn where I have been.
Now who’d like to come with me?
Let me see those hands,
’cause girls and boys make super toys
for things in far-off lands.

Oh where will we go,
so far from all we know?
Captain Chancey, won’t you tell us where we’re going?
Is it north, east, south or west?
Are we rightly dressed?
Is there candyfloss and late bedtimes in the places we will go?

Oh, children so dear,
how come we can’t see you or Chancey? Where have gone and run off to?
Please, children, reappear!
The Captain’s gone for good! Had we misunderstood?
It seems the piper’s called his own strange tune.

Oh, children, stand clear
for Captain Chancey decked in fancy accoutrements from some distant shore.
Come, children, let’s cheer
for Captain Chancey’s come to bestow everyone with presents like you’ve never dreamed

Where does Chancey go?
We all want to know,
but he will not say a word.
Tell us north, west, south or east,
at the very least.
But Chancey only giggles as we come into the port.


Leave a Reply