Pirates of the Shawnee

Ma named me Charles Cane Wilson in ‘93

Pa lies deep in the shaft of number 19

She works the days long and into the night

And I tend a Sumac fort on the hillside

I let my dreams take me to the past

Where I can be wild and strong and fast

My name is Charlie

I’m a pirate of the Shawnee

We’ve been here forever,

And ever shall be

My name is Charlie

We’re the pirates of the Shawnee

I hold in my hand the sword from a man

Who is a river pirate just like me

I spotted it gleaming so powerful seeming

This bank of sand at his command

I watched down below upon the Ohio

If he returns I’ll join his fearless band

I dreamt they would come for me

To Cave-in-Rock we’d ferry

And I would bring home riches

From the pirates of the Shawnee

One night I awoke as though in a dream

To Captain Mason standing before me

Into the dark flew my Captain and me

Where soon I’d learn my savior he’d not be

Crimson daggers waving Innocents are wailing

Darkest fears, death drawing near

My name is Charlie

I’m a captive

I’m a poor boy

They’ve been here forever, and ever shall be

My name is Charlie

I’m with the pirates of the Shawnee

In the pirates’ den I lay in ties

No riches did I find

My vision of salvation was only in my mind

By dawn’s light a torturous path

Atop the cave pirate’s wrath

I close my eyes to the wind and the water

My name is Charlie

It’s the eve of my ninth birthday

Ma waits for me at home in Rosiclare

My name is Charlie

And the current will take me there