Fergus-

Here's a curious taunting ditty supposedly composed by the American sailors on the eve of their battle with the British in Valparaiso Bay:

Essex - Valparaiso

You found us here and here you'll stay
A riddled hulk beneath the Bay
And few of you will get away
To carry the news to London.

You'll die and curse the wind that blew
You here to face a freemen's crew
And of your crew we'll free a few
To carry the news to London.

So blame the cause for which you bled
The blame's not on a seaman's head
And those of you who won't be dead
Can carry the news to London.

Aye, swallow your rum and spill your song
For higher up belongs the wrong
And those of you we take along
Can carry the news to London.

Notes:

From DAVID FARRAGUT, SAILOR, by Ferdinand Reyher, J. B. Lippincott Co., New York, © 1953, pp. 222-223.

This is most likely a composed song by Ferdinand Reyher.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble