Jackson Don’t Trust That Look

Well Mark leaned over grinnin’, said, “Jackson, hold her steady,”

Dragon fire was risin’ and the guns weren’t nowhere ready.

He said, “Cut all the lift.” I said, “Captain, we will die.”

He said, “Only if we miss.”

I said… I ain’t gonna like this, am I?

Every time he gets that wildfire look up in his eye,

Somebody’s prayin’, somebody’s cussin’, askin’ why.

He smiles like trouble wearin’ Sunday clothes to fight—

And I know before he says it…

I ain’t gonna like this tonight.

Cuelebre country, enemy lines, moon black as cannon smoke,

Two iron drakes on our stern and the mainmast nearly broke.

He yelled, “Drop the lift again!” I said, “Have you lost your mind?”

We stood the prow up in the heavens

And left good sense behind.

Every time he gets that wildfire look up in his eye,

Somebody’s prayin’, somebody’s cussin’, askin’ why.

He smiles like trouble wearin’ Sunday clothes to fight—

And I know before he says it…

I ain’t gonna like this tonight.

Once he steered us through lightning just to blind a dragon’s sight,

Said, “Storms confuse their fire, boys—hold her through the night.”

The rigging sang like devils, every spar split into flame,

I shouted, “This is suicide!”

He laughed, “Strategy’s just madness with a better name.”

Every time he gets that wildfire look up in his eye,

Somebody’s prayin’, somebody’s cussin’, askin’ why.

He smiles like trouble wearin’ Sunday clothes to fight—

And I know before he says it…

I ain’t gonna like this tonight.

I served with brave men, crazy men, holy fools and thieves…

But Mark Strongcastle gives orders

that make the angels roll up sleeves.

And every time I hear, “Jackson… I have an idea…”

I start lookin’ for walls.

Off Gnar waters he says, “Ram the beast before she climbs.”

I said, “Captain, that is madness.” He said, “Worked the other times.”

Hit that devil broadside, cracked her armor with the keel,

I was prayin’ to every saint I knew

While Mark was laughin’ at the wheel.

Every time he gets that wildfire look up in his eye,

Somebody’s prayin’, somebody’s cussin’, askin’ why.

He smiles like trouble wearin’ Sunday clothes to fight—

And I know before he says it…

I ain’t gonna like this tonight.

Every plan walks close enough to catastrophe to shake its hand,

Yet somehow when the fire clears

that fool is still in command.

And though I grumble every mission, when dragon shadows fly…

If Mark says, “Jackson, with me?”

I know I’ll answer, “Aye.”

Every time he gets that wildfire look up in his eye,

I say I won’t follow—

but somehow I always try.

Madmen start disasters,

legends dare them twice…

When Mark says, “Trust me, friend…”

I say… I ain’t gonna like this…

…but cut the lift.

Shake, Stormbreaker, shake—

Mark’s got that look again boys…

Cut the lift… and hold your souls.