John Ross with the Flaming Red Hair
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In the county of Buchan in Fraserburgh.
Just north of old Aberdeen,
A Young Scottish laddie was born and raised
They called him Charles Rawden Maclean.
On a brig called The Mary he set off to sea,
Apprenticed to Lieutenant King
To search for two missing African hunters
And traders called Farewell and Fynn.
A freckled face lad with the sea in his blood
Who never knew panic or fear.
Round the Cape of Good Hope with long telescope
Those explorers just could not be found
And then on a shoal at Old Port Natal
The Mary the brig ran aground;
For timber they searched high and low;
To Kwa Bulawayo to King Shaka's Kraal,
The crew were then summoned to go.
When they got there that brave boy with red hair
Caught that great warrior's eye.
Said "I'll show you the way to Delagoa Bay
Go for medicine or you will all die".
That six hundred mile journey to make.
Shaka said "To appease those shrewd Portuguese
Some ivory tusks you must take".
A freckled face lad with the sea in his blood
Who never knew panic or fear.
On that trip he was sent, with ten warriors he went.
They returned after sixty long days.
They completed their task bringing medicine at last
And the Captain and crew they were saved.
Shaka then said "were you not afraid?
Who'd have saved you if you had to run?"
My head and my heart and my gun."
A champion of justice he grew up to be.
Abhorring the practice of slavery.
Of his own ship he then a captain became.
Sailed all seven seas and the old Spanish Main.
But one day while sailing to England was ailing
But before the good ship could get there.
He died there at sea where he wanted to be.
A freckled face lad with the sea in his blood
Who never knew panic or fear.