BLACK AND WHITE

BLACK AND WHITE The skull and crossbones, in black and white Recognised by all as pirates on the high seas For many innocent victims, it caused a fright Ordered on deck to get down on their knees Sometimes, crew and others never survived Booty taken and all such evidence destroyed The pirates’ discipline was seen as contrived With fair shares all round that they enjoyed Then there was a new category of freebooter With a royal grant to steal the enemy’s gold But still, in the end, everyone was a looter Some was kept for themselves, we are told But in the first truly worldwide merchant fleet That distinctive flag or ensign was an exemplar Sailing under holy orders, and quite discreet Vessels that belonged to the Knights Templar