Meaning and Lyrics of Cannonball by Alestorm

Alestorm’s “Cannonball” is a rowdy, profane sea shanty that delivers its message with explosive energy and biting irreverence. Known for its unique brand of pirate metal, Alestorm masterfully blends high-octane metal riffs with swashbuckling tales of maritime mayhem. This song, taken from their 2022 album *Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum*, doesn’t shy away from its raunchy, visceral imagery, creating a raucous atmosphere that’s simultaneously offensive and outrageous.

Verse 1 immediately sets the tone with its adventurous and anarchic slap in the face:

*”I’m on an epic quest, Far across the sea, I’ve got a f*****g cannon, And the urge for piracy.”*

These lines announce Alestorm’s intention to bask in the glorification of piracy, combining the thrill of the high seas with a dark, comedic twist. The notion of setting sail with a cannon and a penchant for piracy speaks to a more unhinged, hedonistic approach to adventure, one driven by impulse rather than noble pursuits.

The Refrain 1—*Read, my, lips, Every single one of you will die, Fire, at, will, Gonna smear your entrails on the sky*—is a brutal call to arms that marries hyperbolic, violent imagery with an aggressive vocal delivery, emblematic of the band’s signature style. Here, the raw, almost cartoonish violence becomes a key element that seizes the listener’s attention, dragging them deeper into the band’s dark nautical fantasy.

Pre-Chorus 1 introduces an additional layer of supernatural elements with references to a “voodoo curse.” Such references are classic Alestorm, adding a mythic dimension which enhances the feeling of timeless, unending conflict. This line cleverly establishes a narrative thread that justifies the relentless aggression: the voodoo curse, as an uncontrollable force, mirrors the band’s unbridled musical intensity.

Chorus propels this raw energy further with a barrage of grotesque yet ludicrous commands:

*”Yo-ho, stick a cannonball up your c**t, Yo-ho, put your dick in a blender.”*

While the lyrics are undoubtedly offensive and crude—to the point that they might alienate some listeners—the band’s commitment to this unapologetic, vulgar artistry is genuinely impressive. It’s a sonic embodiment of chaos and rebellion, celebrating the crude humor often associated with pirates but exponentially amplified for shock value and comedic excess.

Verse 2 continues the madness, illustrating the band’s knack for narrative progression even within a seemingly simple framework. Drinking a “mystic brew” purchased in Paraguay and blessed by a voodoo man keeps the mystical, cursed aura alive. The thematic continuity is tight, as it reinforces the protagonist’s relentless pursuit of revenge and valorizes the debauchery inherent in this pirate archetype.

The subsequent Refrain 2 and Pre-Chorus 2 extend the violent manifesto, with lines like *”Taste, my, blade, Gonna shove it deep into your guts.”* The ongoing lyrical motif of inflicting endless pain reinforces the relentless and cyclical nature of the curses and quests described — an eternal loop of violent retribution underscored by heavy, thrashing instrumentation.

The song’s persistent Chorus acts as both a refrain and a rallying cry, hammering home a message that, while brimming with obscene and absurd imagery, also doubles as a call to living life on the edge, unrestrained by societal expectations. With lines repeated multiple times, it builds a kind of anthem—a grotesque, darkly comic sea shanty for a modern, metal audience.

Inserting the Post-Chorus lines *Yo-ho, Yo-ho, Yo-ho* allows for a brief but vital moment of collective call-and-response that grounds the listener back into the communal spirit of pirate lore. It’s a bonding chant amidst the chaos, reminding everyone of the thrill-seeking camaraderie at the heart of Alestorm’s music.

Alestorm’s “Cannonball” is a hyper-violent, fantastical trip that invites you to suspend your sense of decorum and dive headfirst into a world of seafaring debauchery and supernatural vengeance. It’s loud, bawdy, and entertaining in its audacity, encapsulating everything fans love about Alestorm’s unapologetic, boundary-pushing approach to pirate metal.