David Welch Poet Ballad

Red Beard

Red Beard laughed at this lad
Stumbled on the wrong ship he had

Stowing away on a pirate vessel 
Turned himself in not even a wrestle

Stout young lad must be at least ten
He wasn’t sure of the trouble he was in

To the plank cast him aside!
Then the boys knees buckled….he cried

Red Beard yanked him up and stared deep
Some use of this boy, if I want to keep

To the crew or to the sea? Red Beard thought
A pupil to over see if well taught

“Take him below!” are his orders
“Food and water in my quarters”

The boy moved quickly at the thought of food
Take his mind off of his saddened mood

A feast laid before his weary eyes
Hot bread and large chicken thighs

Warm milk and cool fresh water too was in store
He ate and ate till he couldn’t anymore

It was eve before the Captain appeared
The boy was asleep his mind without fear.

Into his arms the boy went
Carried to the cot for his rent

An orphan too, was this pirate knave
Maybe this child he could save

Schooling was what first struck his mind
A great teacher was hard to find

Sailing and piracy was all he knew
“I want more for this lad. A start anew.”

…..A rapping came to the cabin door
Urgent business he had to make sure

“What is it?” Bellowed a voice
“A British flag and jack a hoist!”

A war galleon was on the horizon 
A battle was on the rising

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