From the recording The Life and Death of Mary Read
Lyrics
What are they? Precious cargo? Bloodstock?
Are they beasts of burden? Lap dogs in pretty frocks?
Property is to be protected,
lest it lose its value to those that hold the deed.
Some are horsemen, some do trade,
some are cattle.
Rage is futile,
trust is bred.
Order will bind them
until they are dead.
Play their part for their families; fathers.
Giving birth to daughters of husbands who pay the rent.
Carry on, keep the water flowing,
keep momentum going, don’t fall into the cracks.
Some are horsemen, some do trade,
some are cattle.
Rage is futile,
trust is bred.
Order will bind them
until they are dead.
Taught to love, taught deference; dullness,
taught to make the best of whatever lies at hand.
A cameo of her mother, noose-like,
hangs around her neck, chained to its given place.
Some are horsemen, some do trade,
some are cattle.
Rage is futile,
trust is bred.
Order will bind them
until they are dead.
Rage is futile,
trust is bred.
Order will bind them
until they are dead.