I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop,
And, off Cape Finistere,
A merchantman we see,
A Frenchman,going free,
So we made for the bold Mounseer,
D'ye see?
We made for the bold Mounseer.

But she proved to be a Frigate-and she up with her ports,
And fires with a thirty- two!
It come uncommon near,
But we answer'd with a cheer,
Which paralysed the Parley-voo,
D'ye see?
Which paralysed the Parley-voo!

Then our capt'n he up and he says, says he,
"That chap we need not fear, We can take her, if we like,
She is sar-tin for to strike.
For she's only a darned Mounseer.
D'ye see?
She's on - ly a darned Mounseer!
But to fight a French fal-lal — it's like hit -tin' of a gal, —
It's a luh - ber-ly thing for to do;
For we, with all our faults, Why we're
stur-dy Brit-ish salts, While she's only a Parley-voo,
D'ye see?
She's only a Parley voo!"


So we up with our helm, and we scuds before the breeze
As we gives a compassionating cheer;
Froggee answers with a shout
As he sees us go about,
Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer,
D'ye see?
Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer!
And I'll wager in their joy they kissed each other's cheek,
(Which is what them furriners do),
And they blessed their lucky stars
We were hardy British tars,
Who had pi ty on a poor Par- ley - voo
D'y'see?
Who had pity on a poor Parley - voo!