I Were A One Legged Pirate
by Mildred Plew Meigs
If I were a one-legged pirateGa-lumping around on a peg,
I'd flourish my pistol and fire it;
Then, sure as my right wooden leg,
I'd buy me a three-decker galleon
With cannon to port and to lee,
And wearing the king's medallion,
I'd head for a tropical sea!
Roaring a rough Ha-ha! Ha-ho!
Roving the routes of old,
Over the billows we would go
Sweeping the seas for gold!
Plying the lane
Of the Spanish Main
For Gold! Gold! Gold!
If I were a one-legged pirate
Ga-lumping around after loot,
I'd flourish my pistol and fire it;
Then, sure as my red leather boot,
I'd buy me a three decker galleon
With cannon to thunder a mile,
And bucking the sea like a stallion,
I'd head for a tropical Isle!
Roaring a rough Ha-ha! Ha-ho!
Chanting a chantey bold,
Over the billows we would blow,
Sweeping the seas for gold!
Plying the lane
Of the Spanish Main
For Gold! Gold! Gold!
But since I was not born a pirate
Ga-lumping around on a stick;
And since my toy gun when I fire it
Gives out but a little toy click;
Pretending my boat is a galleon,
My pond is a tropical sea,
I'll play I'm an old rapscallion,
But really I won't hurt a flea.
Roaring my small Ha-ha! Ha-ho!
Saying I'm someone bold,
Over the duck pond I will go
Roving the routes of old;
Plying the pond
And the stream beyond
For Gold! Gold! Gold!
That brings back memories. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat brings me right back to the couch in our living room, where we were snuggled around him. I can hear his voice, can you?
ReplyDelete:) I need a Golden Book of Poetry.
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few of my old Golden Books, but I don't recognize this one! Fun memories!
ReplyDeletePapa, I'm always happy to make someone smile.
ReplyDeleteRach, I hear his voice often. I think I always will.
Beth, I'll keep my eyes open.
Betsy, I think I loved the illustration as much as I loved the poem.
I memorized this when I was very young, I loved it so much. Something about its bold cadence resonated with my little spirit.
ReplyDeleteIt will always be a favorite.
DeleteYes, the wild imagination of a child at play. Wouldn't it be great to go back for a day?
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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Thank you for posting this!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome!
DeleteTomorrow marks the ten year anniversary of my dad's passing. Your comment is timely. Thank you.
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Just last night, someone said the word Medallion, and my daughter unconsciously muttered, "Wearing the kings medallion, I'd head for a tropical sea." I was proud that all those nights of poetry reading stuck, even 25 years later.
ReplyDeleteThat is fabulous! From my own experience, it sticks for twice as long if not forever.
DeleteWow, I miss my dad.
I was just recalling that poem and looked up
ReplyDeleteThe first line I remembered and found your blog with the very same illustration I recalled from childhood and I still have that golden book. I plan to read it to my 8 month old grandson. Thank you for helping me retrieve it from my 72 year old memory bank.
Oh, I'm so glad to hear this! It's definitely a sweet little poem, a childhood favorite that will always and forever remind me of my dad and nights spent snuggled up next to him on the couch.
DeleteI read this poem in 1963 to my fourth grade class. It was my first year of teaching and I still remember the verses.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
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