The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #135836   Message #3098803
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
19-Feb-11 - 08:58 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Coasts of Barbary
Subject: Lyr Add: The Coasts of Barbary
THE COASTS OF BARBARY.

There were two ships from England set sails,
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
The King of Prussia and the Prince of Wales,
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary.

There's naught ahead, sirs, nothing astern,
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
But a lofty vessel to windward would turn,
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary.

Then hail her, the captain call'd o'er the side,
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
Be you a privateer, then he cried,
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary?

I am a privateer, sirs, to-day,
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
A saucy privateer, sirs, after prey,
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary.

Then broadsides on the gallant vessels go,
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
Away her mainmast did we English blow.
Cruising: down the coasts of Barbary

For mercy then how the rascals cried,
Blow high ! Blow low! And so sailed we.
The mercy shown was to sink them in the tide,
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary.

With cutlass and gun, they fought hours three,
Blow high ! Blow low! And so sailed we.
The ship their coffin, their grave the sea.
Cruising down the coasts of Barbary.

NP

Having searched for this by both title, and distinctive line. This version appears not to be in the DT
This version is from:
"English Folk-Songs for Schools" (Curwen Edition 6051)
collected and arranged by S Baring Gould, M.A. and Cecil J. Sharp, B.A.