Song: The Black Rose Sails

Many years ago, my parents threw a party to christen the pirate-ship play equipment by dad had built for the grandkids. We named it “The Black Rose.” I wrote this song to commemorate that day.

As the years went by and more grandkids were born, I snuck them into the song.

Lyrics

Come gather round me hearties and I'll tell you all a tale
Of a pirate ship and a pirate crew and the dark day they set sail.
Well I'm sure you've heard the tale before, their story's well been told
Their swords were bright and shining and their hearts were grim and bold.

The Black Rose is sailing, see how she soars
Hide all the children, and lock all the doors
The Black Rose is coming, you best run away
She won't take you prisoner, but she always makes you pay.

Austin crashed his crashington, and Joshua swung his sword
Ashley shot the cannon and that's why no one could board.
Bethany cut you down to size and Xander stood his post
If you left that day with one less hand, you're luckier than most.

The Black Rose is sailing, see how she soars
Hide all the children, and lock all the doors.
The Black Rose is coming, you best run away
She won't take you prisoner, but she always makes you pay.

Well a pirate's life is chancy, there's no telling how it ends
So to grow her crew, the Black Rose knew, she had to make some friends.
Along came Emmett, blue-eyed strong, and Nora's rose made two
Jack jumped in with a toothless grin, and they rounded out the crew.

The Black Rose is sailing, see how she soars
Hide all the children, and lock all the doors.
The Black Rose is coming, you best run away
She won't take you prisoner, but she always makes you pay.

Well the treasure has been buried and the map they tore in two
A wild wind came calling, and they sailed off in the blue.
But I won't leave this hillside, no I will sail no more
For no one knows the hour when the cry comes from the shore:

The Black Rose is sailing, see how she soars
Hide all the children, and lock all the doors.
The Black Rose is coming, you best run away
She won't take you prisoner, but she always makes you pay.