PAUL JONES

An American frigate Bonhomme Richard by name
Mounted forty four guns and from New York she came
To sail in the channel of old England"s fame
Wi a noble commander Paul Jones was his name.

Ere we had lang cruised twa sail we espied
A large forty four and a twenty beside-
Fifty fine shipping weel loaded wi stores
And the convoy stood in for the old Yorkshire shores.

About the hour of twelve we cam alangside
Wi a lang speakin trumpet whence cam ye he cried
Come answer me quickly I"ll hail ye no more
Or else a broadside into you I will pour.

We fought them four glasses four glasses sae hot
Till forty brave seamen lay dead on the spot
And fifty five more they lay bleeding in gore
While Paul Jones"s thunderous cannon did roar.

Our carpenter frightened to Paul Jones did say
Our ship leaks in watter since fighting today
Paul Jones he made answer in the height o his pride
If we can do no better we"ll sink alangside

Paul Jones he then smiled and to his men he did say
Let every man stand to the best of his play
Sae broadside for broadside they fought on the main
And like true buckskin heroes we returned it again

The Serapis wore round our ship for to take
Which made the proud heart of the English to quake
The shot flew so hot they could not stand it long
And the bold British colours from English came down.

Oh now my brave boys we have taken a fine prize
A large forty four and a twenty likewise
God pity the poor mothers that have reason to weep
For the loss of their sons in the fathomless deep.

As sung in Galloway in my grandfathers day.
We were still dancing a dance called the "Paul Jones" in my dancing days.