Sam Larner's version
Jim Caroll

THE DOLPHIN

Our ship she laid in harbour, in Liverpool docks she lay,
Awaiting for fresh orders and her anchor for to weigh
Bound out for the coast of Africa our orders did run so:
We're going to sink and destroy me boys, no matter where we go.

We had not been sailing scarce fifty leagues or more,
For there we spied a lofty ship and down on us he bore;
He hailed us in French colours, he asked us where and whence we came
"We just came down from Liverpool town and The Dolphin is our name."

"Are you a man-of-war, sir? Pray tell me what you be."
"I am no man-of-war, sir, but a pirate ship you see.
Come heave up your fore and main yards and let your ship come to,
For our tackles are overhauled and our boats are all lowered, or else we will sink you."

Now our Captain he stood on the quarter-deck, he was brave and fearless too.
"It's three to one against us," he cried unto his crew;
"If it hadn't have been for my younger brother, this battle would never have been tried.
Let every man stand true to his guns and we'll give to them a broadside."

Now broadside to broadside which caused us all to wonder,
To see that lofty tall ship's mast come rattling down like thunder;
We shot them from our quarter-deck until they could no longer stay,
Our guns being smart and we played a fine part and showed them Liverpool play.

Now this large tall ship was taken and in Liverpool docks was moored,
We fired shots with our own sweethearts and the fancy girls ashore;
We lowered down the French colours, we hoisted the red, white and blue,
We drink success to The Dolphin and all her jovial crew.