The Coasts of High Barbary This ballad is an American variant of an older ballad. There is an entry in the Stationers' Register January 14, 1595 for a ballad 'The Soldier's Joy'. The entry states that this ballad is to be sung to the tune. The ballad was given new words and experienced a resurgence of popularity in America between the years of 1795 and 1815 - when Barbary pirates were attacking American ships. America (and most other nations) paid tribute to the pirates until the government took action in 1801. The pirates were not completely defeated until 1815. This song is not normally considered a shanty. However, there is a capstain shanty variant called 'High Harbaree'. The original ballad refers to two merchant vessels, The George Aloe, and The Sweepstake which were bound for Safee. The George Aloe anchored but the Sweepstake continued, being overtaken by a French ship. Her crew was thrown overboard. The George Aloe then pursued the French ship and defeated her. Though the French crew begged for mercy the English replied they would show them the same mercy that the French showed the crew of the Sweepstake. Music by - The Corsairs Lyrics Look ahead, look a stern, Look the weather in the lee, Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we. I see a wreck to the windward And a lofty ship to lee, A sailing down all on The coasts of High Barbary 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 Barbary We'll back up our topsails And heave our 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 Barbary 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 Barbary For quarters! For quarters! The saucy pirates 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 Barbary With cutlass and gun, O we fought for 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 Barbary MAIN MENU / NEXT SONG 
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