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High Barbaree

This version from America.


    Look ahead, look astern, look the weather and the lee,
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    I see a wreck to windward and a lofty ship to lee,
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    O are you a pirate or a man o'war ? cried we
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    O no !  I'm not a pirate, but a man o'war, cried he,
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    Then back up your topsails and heave your vessel to;
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    For we have got some letters to be carried home by you.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    We'll back up our topsails and heave our vessel to;
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    But only in some harbour and along the side of you.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    For broadside, for broadside, they fought all on the main;
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    Until at last the frigate shot the pirate's mast away.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    For quarters !  For quarters !  the saucy pirate cried.
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    The quarters that we showed them was to sink them in the tide.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    With cutlass, and with gun, O we fought them hours three;
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    The ship it was their coffin, and their grave it was the sea.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.


    But O !  It was a cruel sight, and grieved us full sore,
         Blow high !  Blow low !  and so sailed we.
    To see them all a-drowning as they tried to swim to shore.
         A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.




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