MMario - you are just a fountain of useful info!!! Thanks for the web research! And Les, I'll change the spelling of Moor - I wondered that, but wasn't bothered since I don't normally write the songs but sing them.

I've been considering the privateer term.My first inclination was to change it - but; it has been integral to the first part of the song; conveying the idea to non-historical types who would undertsnd the term immediately and would require no further explanation. Additionally there is precedent in recent folk-style music for its use so I benefit from connonation as well.

Is it not true that outsiders would have considered Aubrey and companty to be privateers? Say the American's whose British sailors were pressed, or the Ducth of French ships whose trade was disrupted by Aubrey's 'appropriation' of their goods? And what would an Irish seaman of perhaps mixed loyalties think of the term?

I would like some more feedback from you history buffs and/or O'Brian experts. I am sure, though - that Jack Aubrey would find the term highly insulting - and I may not want to piss him off, even if he is just a ficticious hero!