LEAVING ON THE HOTSPUR
by Lady Atropos with some help from John Denver

*A private scene took place between Maria and Horatio before he took command
of his first post as Master and Commander, Hotspur, a scene that few at all
knew about. A scene that Mrs. Mason didn't even spy on. A scene that would go
down in history only documented in a song, the lonely, sad, and slightly out
of tune croaking of a tone-deaf gallant, his last consolation to a
heartbroken maid...*

My chest is packed, I'm hankerin' to go.
I'm standing here outside your door,
You didn't have to wake up and say goodbye.
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn.
The breeze isn't waiting, and my plans still form,
It seems that you are lonesome and just might cry.

I'll kiss you and smile for you,
Tell you that I'll marry you,
Hold you like I'll never let you go (o-o-o-o)
Cause I'm leaving on the Hotspur
Don't know when I'll be back again-
I just need to go
There'll be some times I'll let you down,
And MANY times, I will play around,
I can tell that to you they won't mean a thing.
Every place I go, I'll write to you,
And the words I write will come straight from you,
When I come back, I'll wear you wedding ring.

So, I'll kiss you and comfort you,
When Bush-y runs away from you,
I held you when your true love you did show (o-o-o-o)
Cause I'm leaving on the Hotspur
Sure will be strange when I get back again-
For now, I'll say I love you so.

Now the time has come to leave you,
One more time, I lean to kiss you,
Then you harden yourself, we'll go our own ways.
You'll dream about the days to come
I'll wonder what it's like to have a son,
But always, you know I'll have to say

I'll kiss you and smile for you,
Tell you that I love you true,
Hold you like you really don't know (o-o-o-o)
Cause I'm leaving on the Hotspur
Don't know if I'll be back again-
I thought I'd let you know.