Gypsies in the Palace

The song concerns an apparently professional entertainer who leaves his home in the care of the unnamed narrator and another man nicknamed "Snake" while he goes to perform elsewhere.

Once the homeowner leaves, the two men are enticed by the food and alcohol he has in store and shoot the lock off his liquor cabinet, rationalizing this action by claiming the inventory will go to waste if not consumed. They then invite numerous people to the house to throw a wild party, where they have naked conga lines, throw people into his swimming pool, and partake in his commodities.

The homeowner calls the house and reports that he will return early, so the two rush out their guests and clean up the mess left during the party. When the homeowner returns, the two men point out all the work they've done around his house in his absence, then offer to watch the house again if the opportunity arises.

When performing the song in concert, Buffett calls it "The scariest song you'll hear tonight." Its performance is often preceded by a pre-recorded voice intoning: Narrated by James Mason.

"In days of old, when knights were bold,

And journeyed from their castles,

Trusty men were left behind;

Knights needed not the hassles.

They helped themselves to pig and peach,

And drank from King's own chalice;

Oh, it was a stirring sight,

These gypsies in the palace."

To which Buffett adds "And some things never change. Hit it, boys!"

Jimmy Buffett stated when he appeared on Jerry Jeff Walker's television show, that the song was based on true-life experience.

When released as a single, the song was trimmed for radio, excluding the dialogue introduction and other corners of the song for pacing purposes.