The Ballad of Matelotage and Mutiny —Hal Duncan—

           Now Jack and Tom they sailed out
                      On the Molly Mae McPhee,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Fresh as the day they left their play
                      To join the King's Navy.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           They sailed out north, south, east and west,
                      They sailed from sea to sea.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Sailed off into the sailor's life
                      That's lonely as can be.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Now Jack was gay, with hair like hay,
                      And eyes blue as the sea,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And Tom was bless'd with lips as red
                      As the cherries on the tree.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           In six long weeks 'twas rare they'd speak,
                      Their hands upon the rope,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But lips would lick and eyes they'd flick
                      In a thirst as dry as hope.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           For six long weeks, and double-six,
                      And then a dozen more,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           They'd heave and sweat, and then to bed
                      They'd crawl away to snore
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But then one day, a storm it came
                      And the bosun rang his bell.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The sails came down, and men did drown,
                      In a night as dark as hell.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           In the light of morn, the ship forlorn
                      Was adrift upon the waves,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And them were left to mourn the dead
                      Gave thanks that they were saved.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But these two lads were doubly glad,
                      Each other the first to see,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           They raised their heads and both o' them said,
                      Thank God for sparing thee.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The captain came out on the deck
                      With his compass and his chart.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A cruel and angry man he was
                      With a Bible for his heart:
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Let prayers be said for all the dead
                      But there's cargo in the hold.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           We've snout to ship, a purse to tip,
                      And a merchant's heart is cold.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           But tho' he railed the wind had failed;
                      The sea was e'er still.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For ten long days the ship it lay;
                      The sails they would not fill.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The sun it set, the sun it rose,
                      The sun beat in the sky.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The lads just lazed and passed the days
                      With cards or wi' the die.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           There's many a mate who knows the games
                      Two lads will play alone,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And there's many a mate who's tried his hand
                      On tackle that's not his own.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           There's many a mate has lost his head
                      From the gambling or the rum,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And many a mate who's given his
                      For a cabin boy's sweet plum.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Our blue-eyed Jack was wandering aft
                      One evenin' when he sees:
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Tom he sits, his tongue twixt lips,
                      With ropes upon his knees.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The ropes are frayed, of knots he's made
                      A strange and wond'rous art;
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So smart the knots his hands have wrought,
                      They can't be teased apart.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           There's many a Jack whose knot's been cracked
                      By a smile on lips so sly,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And there's many a Tom whose been undone
                      By the wink of a bright blue eye.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           O, what do ye call those knots? says Jack.
                      Tis matelotage, says he.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Then take my hand if ye'll have a man,
                      And it's matelotage'd we'll be!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The night was hot as they tied the knot
                      In a matelotage of limbs,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           As they came together, skin to skin,
                      Then he again, then him.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Whose arm was this, whose leg was that,
                      Whose hand upon whose cock?
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           At break of day abed they lay,
                      Their tongues and pricks still locked.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The wind it rose, began to blow,
                      The ship went on its way.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Our lusty boys, they heave in joy,
                      By night and by the day.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Heave, me hearties, hold it fast,
                      Put sweat upon yer backs!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Heave, me hearties, hold it fast,
                      Ye Toms and all ye Jacks!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           They pulled to dock—weigh anchor, boys,
                      We've come to Kingston Town.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           'Tis time to spend yer monies,
                      Every guinea, every crown.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Rum and whores will all be yours,
                      Yer purses are too full.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So spend it now before ye drown,
                      Ye know the sea is cruel.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           But Tom and Jack, they held it back,
                      Another plan had they.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           No girls and grog for these sea dogs
                      To fritter away their pay.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Down to the gunsmith off they went,
                      Their wages joined as one,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And they bought a brace of pistols there,
                      For each of them a gun.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Twin flintlocks of the finest craft,
                      With aim as tight and true,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           As true as the hearts would never part
                      From the lover they would woo,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Of polished wood and polished steel
                      And balanced in the grip,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And each engraved with his lover's name
                      To wear upon his hip.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Into their belts they tucked them then,
                      A-pointed at their jewels,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And many a lass who saw them pass
                      Would swear that they were fools.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But Jack he scoffs, may I blow 'em off
                      If ever I'm false to thee.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           An' if mine don't hold ye true, says Tom,
                      They're bugger all use to me.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           From Kingston they did sail away
                      On the Molly Mae McPhee,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Fresh as the day they left their play
                      To join the King's Navy.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           They sailed out north, south, east, and west,
                      They sailed from sea to sea,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Sailed off into the sailor's life
                      That's jolly as can be.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Now Tom was gay for hair like hay,
                      And eyes blue as the sea,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And Jack was bless'd by lips as red
                      As the cherries on the tree.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And ne'er a twain so fast remained
                      Whene'er the sea would crash,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For ne'er a two were bound so true
                      In the knots of matelotage.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           But many a mate they spied the lads
                      As close as close can be,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And many a mate they spied the lads
                      With lust and jealousy.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A hundred leagues, a hundred leagues,
                      A hundred more from land,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           On a sea that's bare of the maidens fair,
                      There's only what's at hand.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The winds did blow, the salt it rose,
                      A swell to toss the ship,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And mate to mate, the pacts were laid,
                      An oath on every lip.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Ye'll not be thrown to Davy Jones,
                      Not lost upon the sea,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           If ye matelotage! matelotage!
                      Matelotage with me!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Was ne'er a ship so hoared with salt
                      As the Molly Mae McPhee;
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           More salt there was upon the deck
                      Than in the deep blue sea.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A ship of crusty seamen
                      Making sweat enough to swim.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A ship of lusty lovers
                      Tied in knots of naked limbs.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           But a cold and angry captain
                      With a Bible for his heart
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Knew naught of what his crewmen did
                      Beneath the shining stars,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Until one night, he saw a sight
                      That stripped his anger bare—
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           'Twas Tom with Jack upon his back,
                      His legs up in the air
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Ye scurvy bums, ye foul scum,
                      Ye sodomites, he cursed,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Ye godless beasts of buggery,
                      Who slake a sinful thirst!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Ye shame the ship, ye shame us all,
                      In the name of God above!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Says Jack, My shame, by any name
                      Of God is known as love.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           'Tis bound we are, as man and man,
                      'Gainst matelotage, ye rant,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But I swear by Davy Jones, we'll not
                      Be bound by pious cant.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Our love is true as the sea is blue,
                      And we'll raise our standard here,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And curse the name of a God of shame,
                      Who'd curse a love that's queer.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           'Tis bound ye are, 'tis bound ye'll be,
                      Together to yer fate,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Keelhauled beneath the hull,
                      The briny waters for a grave!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Ye naked wretches, both of ye,
                      Will meet it in yer sin.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The barnacles will strip the filth,
                      A-scouring naked skin.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           No man could move but only stand,
                      Afeart of his dread ire,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Till the captain lashed them into work,
                      His tongue a whip of fire:
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Now tie them tight, and tighter still,
                      With plenty of rope to reel,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And hie them up and lo'er them down
                      And haul them round the keel!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           'Twas a black day on the Molly Mae
                      As the mates began the task.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The men held back in binding Jack,
                      And Tom they loosely lashed.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But the captain swore they'd all be sore,
                      The Cat for he who slacked,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So into the briny sea they gave
                      Two lads called Tom and Jack.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           A dozen times they hauled them thence,
                      T' the captain cried, Avast!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Now bring 'em ho, what's left to show,
                      I'll wager nought did last.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So heaved the crew, and up they drew,
                      Till the horror sent them back,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For there on the deck was an awful wreck
                      That might be Tom or Jack.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           With nary a strip of skin unripped,
                      Nor a hair left on his head,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           No man aboard could see the lad
                      And be sure he wasn't dead.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           With lips as red as the blood, 'tis said,
                      And his eyes dark as the sea,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           No man aboard could say for sure
                      Which one of the two was he.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The men they turned, their bellies churned,
                      As a terrible sound was heard,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A horrible moan, an awful groan,
                      And then the lad he stirred.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           He tore off the ropes that bound no more
                      And stood and raised his head,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And he pointed a claw at the captain cruel
                      And here are the words he said:
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Nor Devil below nor God above
                      Holds sway upon the waves;
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The sea belongs to Davy Jones
                      Wi' the lives he claims or saves.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So we made Him a pact to pay Him back
                      Wi' the soul of who survived,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The body to hold his lover's soul,
                      The soul of the one who died.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           'Tis the dead who stands before ye now
                      In the flesh of who he loved.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           'Tis a knot will never be broke by ye,
                      By man or God above.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           I swear on the grave of he who's saved,
                      The knot that's in my heart,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The price ye'll pay, ye'll rue the day,
                      This Mutiny you did start.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The captain cursed, swore on his Book,
                      This fearful thing to see.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           This crime ye've done is sin on sin,
                      Ye've sold yer soul, said he.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           'Tis a traitor to God, to God, you are,
                      So a Judas's death for ye.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Now string him high to kiss the sky
                      Wi' the yardarm for his tree.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The crew drew back from Tom-or-Jack,
                      Their courage it had fled.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Till he tied a loop, for his own noose,
                      And slipped it o'er his head.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Heave-ho, he cries, for all yer lives,
                      Yer captain's word obey.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Be not afear'd, for all it's queer,
                      I'll not be dying today.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The yardarm creaked, and men did weep
                      As the poor lad he was hung,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But he gave a grin like bloody sin
                      And smiled there as he swung.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For three long days the lad he sways,
                      But ne'er will he die.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For three long nights, a dreadful sight,
                      The vengeance in his eye.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           O, what'll we do with this wretched fool?
                      The mates began to sigh.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           O, what'll we do with this captain cruel?
                      Their mutinous hearts replied.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           So by the light of a moon as white
                      As the surf upon the reef,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           They lo'ered him down, and gathered round,
                      And raised him to his feet.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           'Twere not a peep, no man could speak,
                      As his gaze cut to the quick.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           He gripped the noose and drew it loose
                      And he gave his lips a lick.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           His voice was low. Now go below,
                      Bring me the guns, says he,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A pistol for each lover,
                      And we'll have us a mutiny.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           The captain in his quarters was
                      Retiring to his rest.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The door it burst, he spit a curse,
                      Then terror struck his breast.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For in he strides, the lad who died,
                      And firm and true he stands,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           With an eye as cold as a merchant's gold
                      And a pistol in each hand.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Now in the night, by the pale moonlight,
                      The strangest thing was seen.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The names upon the pistols
                      In his hand they seemed to gleam.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           No longer Tom, no longer Jack,
                      As everyone there could see,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           One carried the name of Matelotage,
                      The other of Mutiny!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Ye'll burn for this, the captain spits,
                      In hell's eternal flame.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           If ye be man then ye be damned,
                      Whate'er be yer name.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           The lad he grins his smile of sin,
                      I'll tell you this, says he,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           'Tis Matelotage for whom ye die,
                      'Tis Mutiny who kills ye.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Wi' the pistol in his right he shot
                      The captain in his heart.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           He put a hole right through his soul,
                      As 'twere a poison dart.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Then love it swept and the captain wept,
                      His heart it sorely bled.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Wi' the pistol in his left, our lad
                      Then shot the captain dead!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           For the gun of one, of Matelotage,
                      Now deals out only love,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           With every shot a binding knot,
                      To make yer heart a dove.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           But the other gun, alike this one,
                      Will also take yer breath;
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For the gun of Mutiny, ye see,
                      Will deal ye out yer death.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           With narrowed eyes, he took his prize,
                      The Molly Mae MacPhee.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           He stripped the hold, and shared the gold,
                      Did Captain Mutiny.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           A flag of black for Tom and Jack,
                      A pirate flag he raised,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           And the cruel still run from his two guns
                      But ne'er can get away.
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!

           Ye scurvy bums, ye foul scum,
                      Ye sodomites, to me!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           Ye godless beasts of buggery,
                      Arise with Mutiny!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           We'll plunder from the Spanish Main
                      To the coast of Barbary,
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!
           For the pirate gods of Matelotage
                      And his lover, Mutiny!
           Cry, haul! Aye! A-diddle-aye-dee!


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Hal Duncan was born in 1971 and lives in the West End of Glasgow. A long-standing member of the Glasgow SF Writers Circle, his first novel, Vellum, was nominated for the Crawford Award, the British Fantasy Society Award and the World Fantasy Award. A sequel, Ink, is due out in 2007 along with a novella set in the same world, Scorched Earth (MonkeyBrain Books, forthcoming). A poetry collection, Sonnets for Orpheus, was recently released in a limited edition by Papaveria Press. His short fiction has been published in magazines and anthologies such as Fantasy, Strange Horizons, Electric Velocipede, Nova Scotia and Eidolon.

content Copyright © 2006, Hal Duncan—All Rights Reserved