Powder Monkey

The noose is a nightmare for any seafaring man Especially those who thrive the best they can Danger lurks on the waves like a mugger in the shadows The only concern is the prize and the gallows For the young pressed into service have two labors Cabin boy or powder monkey are their favors A fair share for those who survived Though not to many lived to enjoy the ride Mostly master gunners would employ the young ones For the task of loader and powder runs A grizzly sight to any mother of today Blood spattered, powder covered, limbs severed portray I dare say I met one intact and conscious He was rude and quite audacious No name had he just an X above the knee His mark given by Captain of the Breeze A sloop of war in Caribbean was this Massacred whole crews drunk as piss The boys attitude so moved my heart That I had to set him free from his part Before I saw him he was the only one left to be hanged Port Royals mob clawed and fanged I set to watch when I saw how young he was I had to do something for his cause I bid the court give me custody immediately They awaited the response from the Admiralty The response was yes almost to late For the executioner just removed the safety plank He kicked and cried for a moment then released With the knife of the kings lease A bruise found its way around his neck as a reminder For a life against the grinder I sailed him back to London to learn a trade And go to school for a decade I later named him after my name kidd Later to be known as William Kidd