The Jolly Rogers
A. Bonny Tale
From the moment that Anne was brought into this world she was embroiled in scandal
Her father was married and her mother his maid but their passion was too much to handle
As a youth they would say, that Anne was a stubborn, mean and spiteful young brat
She once stabbed a servant just to watch the girl bleed, but there is no proof of that

She spent most of her days staring out at the sea and dreaming of an exciting life
Her father was firm that she would learn her place and make someone a dutiful wife
So in secret she married the sailor James Bonny, a penniless dirty sea rat
It’s said that they burned her father’s place to the ground, but there is no proof of that

The governor offered pardons to all of the pirates who swore to take up arms no more
When Calico Jack strode up from the docks, Anne knew just what she was meant for
She met Jack on the street with his colorful clothes and his rakishly cocked pirate hat
She promised she’d love him and sail with him always but there is no proof of that

Their passion was fire, unbridled and wild and very soon out of control
‘Till her husband dragged her to the governor’s court, and called her an adulterous whore
She was sentenced to a flogging and to return home and everyone thought that was that
That night she escaped, some say dressed as a boy, but there is no proof of that

The two with Jack’s crew stole a ship from the harbor and her pirating days had begun
Mary Reed joined the crew and the girls became friends and thought being pirates great fun
Miss Bonny took a liking to the boyish young Reed even though she was promised to Jack
It’s said the young women had a sinful affair, but there is no proof of that

They seized a great ship, the 12 ton William, ensuring their riches and fame
The governor fumed, "You’ve broken your vow, and have only yourselves to blame."
While he offered a bounty, the girls grew their legend of vicious prowess in combat
They say no man could match their bloodlust of talent, but there is no proof of that
Their crew cowered below, only three upon deck, and there was no sign of Jack
Two women and their crewmate were just not enough to resist the governor’s attack
With all of the crew scheduled to hang pregnancy gained both women a stay
While still in prison, poor Mary died, as Anne saw Jack his last day

“Had you fought like a man, you need not hang like a dog”, were her final words to her lover
Then she disappeared from the history books, no more facts left to uncover
Rumor says she survived as a mother and wife and died old, contented and fat
Like so many stories of the pirate Anne Bonny...no, there is no proof of that