Treasure Island: 5. Jimmy be good
Jim joins the others in the stockade and together they must withstand the pirates' attack. Silver attempts to negotiate on his terms. Meanwhile Jim slips away to the Hispaniola to capture her. The song is inspired by rock 'n' roll surfing songs.
The story
Them that die will be the lucky ones!Long John Silver
Jim joins his friends in the stockade, just before the pirates attack. After their retreat Silver arrives with a flag of truce: he says he is prepared to grant everyone their freedom in return for the map, but he is sent away empty-handed. In the next pirate attack Smollett is badly wounded and most of the remaining faithful crew members are killed. Jim knows something needs to be done, but he's not sure what. That night he slips away and rows out to the Hispaniola. There he finds two pirates - O'Brien and Hands - left onboard. Jim cuts the anchor rope and drifts with the ship until morning, when he discovers that Hands has killed O'Brien. Hands also attacks Jim and after a chase up the rigging Jim shoots Hands, and the pirate falls into the sea. Jim steers the Hispaniola to a bay to hide her.
The main characters
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Jim Hawkins | Our hero - a 12 year old in search of adventure |
| Billy Bones | A pirate on the run - because he has the treasure map |
| Squire Trelawney | Self-appointed leader of the expedition to claim the treasure |
| Dr Livesey | A friend of Squire Trelawney - though much more sensible and dependable |
| Captain Smollett | The captain of the 'Hispaniola' - is injured by the pirates |
| Long John Silver | The notorious leader of the pirates and part of Captain Flint's original crew...but forms a bond with Jim |
| Flint | A legendary pirate...also Silver's parrot |
| Ben Gunn | Marooned on Treasure Island |
| Hands | One of the nastiest of the pirates |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Listening to Verse 1, beginning: 'Surf's up - we sail across the ocean...' before learning the verse line by line and then singing it right through. |
| 02 48 | Learing the chorus, beginning: 'Never, never, never gonna be the...' and then singing it right through. |
| 04 17 | Following the words of Verse 2, beginning: 'Wake up - you're sailing troubled waters...' before learning it line by line, joining in with the choir. |
| 05 45 | Putting Verse 1 together with Verse 2 and including two choruses. |
| 07 36 | Adding backing vocals - BVs. The whole group learns the BVs to start with - which are sung on the same note apart from the very final one. Then getting into two groups, one to sing the main tune and the other to sing the BVs, with plenty of repetition. |
| 11 22 | Going back to learn the middle section, beginning: 'I was standing with my back against the wall...' and ending by singing the middle section right through. |
Story questions
What does Long John Silver say are his terms?
He says if they will give him the treasure map he will let them all go - and not kill them
What does Captain Smollett offer in return?
That if the pirates will give themselves up now they will be guaranteed a fair trial - to which Silver replies: 'Them that die will be the lucky ones!'
What are the names of the two pirates left onboard the Hispaniola?
O'Brien and Hands - the two of them are arguing
What does Jim do when he sees Hands arming himself with a knife?
He tucks a pair of pistols into his belt - he knows Hands is not as badly wounded as he seems
Why does Hands's first throw of the knife miss Jim?
At the very moment Hands throws the knife the ship runs aground - and so the knife misses
Resources
![]()
Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
![]()
Lyrics - Jimmy be good
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
![]()
Music - Jimmy be good
Download / print the music (pdf)
![]()
Listening music
Refer to the Teacher's Notes
![]()
Listening music
Refer to the Teacher's Notes
