We uncovered this in the log of the Wayward Star, the longtime ship of Captain Bartholomew Burgundy. Up until now, we knew him as a gentleman privateer and so-so swashbuckler, deadlier with charm than a cutlass.But here he reveals himself to be a bit of a bard, telling the story of what may be the final Buccaneers' Ball in what may be a shanty. The music is lost, but the lyrics survive.
Never seen I, at land o' at sea,
Such a band of fierce ruffians, hearts all full'o glee,
A truce be declared, for only one night,
No trech'ry or backwashin', not one single swordfight.
Our Dred Captain did lead us, Pirate Queen by 'is side,
The Plankwalkers fiddled, Bahama Becky our guide,
Easy turning an' swinging were the steps she did choose,
For the captain said, "this ain't no disco cruise!"
If Jack Sparrow could see it, now, wha' would 'e say?
All these pirates a' prancin' jus as plain as th' day!
An' the ladies did join them, this scraggly lot,
Shewing scraps of refinement, what little they'd got.
But our Cap'n indulged us with something merry and big,
When 'e allowed all 'is guests to partake of the jig!
To not know thi' dance is a seafarin' sin,
Or to let others caper without cutting in?
I worked me way onto the deck with a tap,
To seek a out a fine buc, without need 'f a map.
Her steps wer' so measured an' formal indeed,
To all who jigged wi' her, this lady could lead!
We amused ourselves on th' Dred Cap'n's orders:
Defend Cap'n Morgan from a series of boarders!
On the deck his shipmates fought bravely and bold,
Tagged anyon' out when they went for the gold.
They wer' only a few, and we could not be taunted,
Got around his ship's sentries, an' got what we wanted.
But 'tis all in good fun, and soon all did sing
Birthday wishes for June's crew, dancing round in a ring.
The Cap'n had booty for the pirates who came,
If they wer' drawn from th' hat an' could excerpt from their brain,
A historical fact, wi' person and dates,
Or be left t' suffer th' will 'a their mates!
We sang praises to Noah, tha' fine sailor of old.
Who took a boat full 'f animal load.
He survived all th' bleating, the roarin' and howlin',
An' tha' was just from his sons wh' were poutin'!
We sashayed, promenaded an' led 'round th' room,
Do-si-doed and changed places like a sail on th' loom.
But when th' waltz play'd, th' only steps I cou'd take
Were turns 'f fine grace, fer my lady mate's sake.
She was known far an' wide as a charmer, th' lass,
Her dress 'f bright red, th' symbol of class.
I invited he' wi' me, not forgetting a chance
T' share mannered moments in music an' dance.
Other pirates may jig 'till they drop dead, but yet,
I don' think they could improvise a minuet.
So we danced wi' all spirit, free hands high 'n th' air,
Turning roun' past each' other wi' nary a care.
She followed me leadin', like a face in the mirror,
Took eac' step as I walked it, wi' no trace 'o fear.
Back 'n forth to each other, with a twirl and a swing,
Bal-an-say, now a side step, such 'e beautiful thing!
I may raid th' ships, I may bask 'n th' plunder,
I may sail out to other lands chock full 'a wonder,
An' all'a that's good for a privateer's life,
But I know tha' I'm still much a gentl'man... fer life!
See more pictures from the merry evening here.
Thank you to We Make History for five years' worth of Buccaneer's Balls and unforgettable moments! Captain Burgundy has sailed off... but he shall return, somehow, someday, somewhere.
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