From the recording The Life and Death of Mary Read
Lyrics
I knew from the start you were trouble, my dear
Why would Calico Jack keep a hard man so near?
I hid best I could, tried to keep my disguise
But you saw through all my pretense and lies
Through sunburn and blisters, through bruises and scars
My bonny, my lassie, I see who you are
The night when they caught us, the crew’s guard was down
So full of themselves, enough whiskey to drown
The heroes were downstairs, they were drunk now, and well
As the first soldier climbed o’er the railing, I yelled
My dear, draw your cutlass, and I’ll have your back
My bonny, my lassie, your eyes burning black
I’d die by your side any day - forever your Mac
Our rage as we realized they’d hid below deck
At being boarded by the Albion, that sorry-ass wreck
Those weaklings, those cowards, crying into their grog
Had they fought like us, they wouldn’t hang now like dogs
You struck down like lightning, my angel, my bride
My bonny, my lassie, the Vanity’s pride
The fiercest of warriors, and I fought right by your side
The Port Royal courthouse was packed to the aisles
To see the infamous monster Anne Bonny stand trial
You listened in silence to those idiots’ bleats
So fragile, so royal, they should’ve bowed at your feet
I wanted to save you, to kill one and all
My bonny, my lassie,2 so quiet and small
I knew from the start you were trouble, my dear
But I am not one to be held back by fear
You’re my greatest adventure, so fuck that Barnet
He may have caught us, but I have no regrets
I may be rotting in prison, but don’t cry for me
My bonny, my lassie, I was never as free
As when we were sisters in arms on the sea
And that freedom don’t wear off by hanging from a tree