Pirates and Privateers
The History of Maritime Piracy

Cindy Vallar, Editor & Reviewer
P. O. Box 425, Keller, TX  76244-0425

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The Night before Christmas on Board
(or “A Nautical Navidad”)

By Morrigan Quicksilver
 

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the boat

Not a creature was stirring, not even a goat;

The ditty bags stacked in the galley with care

In hopes that big treasure soon would be there.

The crew and the captain in hammocks were furled

And dreamt of a golden and tropical world.

When out of the sea there arose such a clatter I sprang out of my bunk to see what was the matter.

Away to the crow's nest I climbed in a flash To find out the reason for boom, bash, and crash.

The moon on the crest of the waves far below Gave a magical cast to the fantastical show;

And down on the deck of the ship there appeared The specter of Davy Jones, He we all feared.

But this time was different -- he looked might strange His fearsome demeanor had gone through a change! His normally frightening eyes now did cast A beautiful light that shone right from the mast To the stern to the bow and all points in between.

It was red, blue, and yellow and orange and green And along with this splendor the sound was serene -- 'Twas a chorus of mermaids enhancin' the scene.

Well they sang of the islands and heavenly rum And the crew all woke up with a hankrin' fer some. They swarmed up from from below and got quite a surprise For there on the deck was a sight for sore eyes. For there on the deck was a sight for sore eyes. It were rum casks and maidens and vittles and beach, Enough fer us all -- and all within reach!

Well we partied and mingled for what seemed like years, We fergot all the scurvy and lost souls and tears, 'Til the dawn started breaking and David said "Friends,

Let's let bygones be bygones and all make amends With our families and loved ones estranged or away, And have peace in the world for at least one more day."

So we all settled down for a day of delight When the world was just right without sorrow or blight And we all had our fill and we danced 'til we slept And nobody fought, and nobody wept 'Cept fer tears of great joy that this thing could be so Since we knowed that we still had a long ways to go Before maybe just maybe it all could come true And there'd be all we needed for me and for you.

Then Davy he looked at his hourglass and said

Perhaps ye thinks this be a dream in yer head -- Or that it's all just impossible vision . . .

But here's what I think, and it's your decision -- That ye gets what ye gives, and this be the way: To have others be good to ye -- be good to they!

So remember this, be it early or late; All treasure's not only silver or gold, mate!"

Then he spoke no more words and went straight to his tasks -- He stuffed all our ditty bags, refilled the casks, Crammed our galley with food and put wind in our sails -- And then suddenly nodded and sprang to the rails.

He then looked at all of us, straight in the eyes, And I'll never forget this, I swears it ain't lies, As he jumped overboard, with the maids and the rest, Heading back down below to his eternal rest, He shouted to us in his deep rolling voice: "Treat others right kindly, ye does have a choice!"

   Copyright © 2007 Mark Heimann, aka Morrigan Quicksilver

This here poem be written by Morrigan Quicksilver, on the occasion of Christmas 2007, with apologies to Major Henry Livingston, Jr. Quicksilver is the alter ego of Mark Heimann, a pirate potter. If you'd like to know more about Mark, check out this video.

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