Amazing to see this article pop up yesterday after originating back before I knew of Mudcat's existance
- and it touched base with me....
Last year a fan of mine from Ely sent me the following article....
Life in a Man's World: Mary Read, Author: Deanna J. Jones
She knew I wrote songs based on historical fact
(see last winter's EDS quarterly for my 'Bed Of Straw'). Being impressed with Mary's story
– and even more by her final statement in court, this fan asked if I'd put something into song
(neither she – nor I – had heard any existing song specifically on the topic).
Try going to http://www.piratesinfo.com/biography/biography.php?article_id=27
and read the original article I was sent. (apologies if my 'clickies' don't work
– you'll just have to type 'em if they don't)
Her final statement – knowing she was to hang (after a temporary stay of execution till her child was born!)
was a PRO hanging one – amazing!
"As to hanging, it is no great hardship. For were it not for that, every cowardly fellow would turn pirate
and so unfit the sea, that men of courage must starve."
Further research resulted in my penning my version of 'Mary Read'

Mary Read (D.McFarlane) 7thOct 03

Is evening come? - Heave away - haul away
The setting sun - Draws veil upon the day
My time is done - Heave away - haul away
My tide has run - Haul away my day

No hardship great to bear - For were this never there
All rogues and cowards would so unfit the sea
Then men of courage starve - This I could never have
Now help my child to stand up tall and think of me

When I was young - Heave away - haul away
Raised as her son - And lived a lie each day
Away I ran - Heave away - haul away
Became a man - Haul away my day

No hardship great to bear - For were this never there
All rogues and cowards would so unfit the sea
Then men of courage starve - This I could never have
Now help my child to stand up tall and think of me

Of love I learned - Heave away - haul away
Loved in return - yet always lost my way
So long I fought - Heave away - haul away
All come to nought - Haul away my day

No hardship great to bear - For were this never there
All rogues and cowards would so unfit the sea
Then men of courage starve - This I could never have
Now help my child to stand up tall and think of me

Is evening come? - Heave away - haul away
The setting sun - Draws veil upon the day
My time is done - Heave away - haul away
My tide has run – now - Haul away my day

I've performed this in many a folk club
- first time as guest at the Unicorn Folk Club,
Lion Inn, Egmond, SHROPSHIRE – right up to more
recently at Bishop's Stortford, St. Albans and Rugby.
It's slow, moody and only four chords to it!
But, wherever I've performed it, I've found audiences really take to it
– ALWAYS joining in the verse hook-line and chorus (on first hearing too!)
There are a few more websites you may want to peek at.
Go read about Read. It's worth it! – Hugs – Duncan McFarlane
(with apologies for the length of this post!)
Oh! And thanks to Ellie Gamble for sending me the story!

http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/lennon/897/read.html
This one has some grand woodcut/engraving/pictures.
http://www.arthur-ransome.org/ar/literary/pyrates.htm
http://www.infopt.demon.co.uk/pirates.htm