This is a little twist on an old favorite. Please enjoy and here's hoping that you all have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. T'was the night `fer Christmas, when all through me boat- We all be real happy jest being afloat. Me stockings were hung by me chimney with care, In hopes that Ol' Graybeard soon would be there. Me crew be nestled all snug in thar berth, While visions of riches and to reap all it's worth! And me wench in her `kerchief, and me in me cap, Be droppin' the hook fer a long winter's nap. When out on me starb'rd there arose such a clatter, I sprang from me berth to see what be the matter... Away to me chest where me weapons be stored, Reach fer me pistol and strapped on me sword. The moon on the beach and the waters surround, Me ears be a'peaked, but alas, thar's no sound. When, what to me wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature galleon, and eight buccaneers!
From up in ye moonlight thar vessel had dived, I knew in a moment Ol' Graybeard arrived! More rapid than cannons his Pirates they came, He be whistlin, and shoutin, and callin by name. "Ahoy Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen! To the top of ye deck! To the top of ye gunwale! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As sails that before the wild hurricane fly, When they rip and they tear, mount up to the sky. So up to the mast-top the Pirates they flew, With ye chest full of loot, hoistin' a sword or two. And then, me Matie, me hears an' realize- The peg leg stomp of Graybeards vast size. As I drew in me head, and readied me sword... Into the cabin! Ol' Graybeard's aboard! He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot, And his beard was a-blazin' in ashes and soot. A bundle of treasures he flung on his back, An' he looked like a peddler, jest opening his sack. His eye-how it twinkled! His breath smell of Rum! He points with a finger, "Ya Dog, now ye come!" Me steps a bit closer to see what he say, "AAAARRRGG!! Swabby, ya be in me way!!" The stump of a pipe he held in teeth a'yellow And the smoke encircled this murderous fellow; He wear an eye patch and leered with his other, An he coughed once er twice an swore at his Mother. He was chubby and plump, this wicked ol man, I cowered when I saw him, an said,"I be damned..." A wink of his good eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know thar's nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all me stockings; then turned with a jerk, and layin his finger aside of his nose, and givin a nod, out the deckhatch he rose; He sprang to his galleon, to his crew gave a holler, An out of his pocket fell a gold Spanish dollar. But me heard him shout, `ere he sailed out of sight, "Happy Christmas, Ya Swabbies, and to all a Goodnight!"
Fair Winds to all of you. Joe Seafrog M17 #651