Mary and Anne by Lizzy Hardingham

 

So here’s my favourite story and I’ll tell it now to thee

Of Mary Read and Bonny Anne and how they came to be

In what is now New Providence as lovers so we’re told

They were ruthless all the day and night, so foursome, fine and bold

 

Mary was in the navy when her vessel was attacked

And Anne had stowed aboard a ship with Calico Jack

One did raid the other and Mary said to Anne 

If you strip my sailors uniform you won’t find me a man

 

And it’s go girls, go

You love just who you love

Be it lad or lass, be it friend or foe

It’s go girls, go

 

History reports them being tossed upon the tide

In battle and the bedroom they were always side by side

They did don a sailors uniform and dress up as a man

Because love is fine and rare my girls so grab it where you can

 

In cruel October waters, Captain Barnet struck a blow

And all their brave young shipmates ran for cover down below

And so Anne did cry unto the sky, all through canon’s fog

If ye’d fight up here as men you need not hang like a dog

 

And it’s go girls, go

You love just who you love

Be it lad or lass, be it friend or foe

It’s go girls, go

 

Instrumental verse

 

Mary Read and Bonny Anne were running wild and free

In Spanish Town, Jamaica in the age of piracy

In a world where it’s unlawful just for man to lie with man

It’s life of pure indecency for Mary and Anne