Harry & the Pirate III: 'Oh, Can Ye Sew Cushions'
Oh, can ye sew
cushions and can ye sew sheets?
And can ye sing baluloo when the bairn greets?
And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb
And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.
*
They’d stayed a few restful days in Barbados, but the island was now fading behind them as the Pearl made her way across the sunlit sea toward Jamaica. Elizabeth was sewing by the stern windows of the Great Cabin. She smiled at Jack, sprawled upon the bed beside her aunt who was enthroned there, nursing their little son.
“Sing that one with the ‘cushions’ again, love,” murmured Jack to his wife.
Harry obliged in a soft, sweet voice, most soothing to the ear. Her aunt’s skill upon the harpsichord might be questionable, but Harry’s singing could not be faulted, at least in Elizabeth’s estimation.
Apparently both Jack and Tom agreed, for when the song eventually drew to a quiet end, Harry glanced up and whispered, “Elizabeth, look: I’ve put them both to sleep.”
Elizabeth smiled again. “I believe that’s counted a great compliment when the song is a lullaby, Aunt.”
*
Ye're rockin fu' sweetly upon my warm knee
And your daddy's a-rockin' upon the salt sea
And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb
And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.
~.~
And can ye sing baluloo when the bairn greets?
And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb
And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.
*
They’d stayed a few restful days in Barbados, but the island was now fading behind them as the Pearl made her way across the sunlit sea toward Jamaica. Elizabeth was sewing by the stern windows of the Great Cabin. She smiled at Jack, sprawled upon the bed beside her aunt who was enthroned there, nursing their little son.
“Sing that one with the ‘cushions’ again, love,” murmured Jack to his wife.
Harry obliged in a soft, sweet voice, most soothing to the ear. Her aunt’s skill upon the harpsichord might be questionable, but Harry’s singing could not be faulted, at least in Elizabeth’s estimation.
Apparently both Jack and Tom agreed, for when the song eventually drew to a quiet end, Harry glanced up and whispered, “Elizabeth, look: I’ve put them both to sleep.”
Elizabeth smiled again. “I believe that’s counted a great compliment when the song is a lullaby, Aunt.”
*
Ye're rockin fu' sweetly upon my warm knee
And your daddy's a-rockin' upon the salt sea
And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb
And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb.
~.~