The Ballad of Lily MacRuarie - copyright Loretta K. Scott, 2007

[holly_evolving]

I've cut my hair and donned my father's coat
The only dowry that he left for me
And silently I've left my mother's house
To seek a life worth living on the sea

CHORUS
On the sea, my sisters, with a sloop for a home
The shore life is a poor life
Come with me and roam

The recruiter thinks that I'm a cabin boy
He signs me up for 15 pence a week*
"A private lad!" they tease me in the hold
They never see the secret that I keep

CHORUS

Around the world we sail and trade and steal
We fight for those who can afford to pay
An English sailor's knife and loaded gun
Will match a Spanish soldier any day

CHORUS

Now, bards sing songs of woman buccaneers
Who follow husbands bravely out to sea
I need no man to lead me toward the mast
I've chosen this life for the love of me

CHORUS

- copyright Loretta K. Scott, 2007

*I checked, this is a fairly accurate wage for the 16th century