There were two lofty ships from old England came
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
One was the Prince of Luther and the other Prince of Wales,
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
“Oh aloft there, aloft!” our jolly captain cries,
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
“Look ahead and look astern, look aweather and alee.”
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
“Well, there’s nought upon the stern and there’s nought upon the lee
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
“There’s a lofty ship to windward, and she’s sailing fast and free,”
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
“Well then hail her, oh hail her,” our gallant captain cried
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
“Are you a man-o’-war or a privateer,” said he
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
“Oh, no I’m not a man-o’-war nor privateer,” said he
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
“But I’m a salt-sea pirate I’m a-looking for my fee.”
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
Now, it’s broadside to broadside ante vessels then did lay
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Until the Prince of Luther blew the pirate’s masts away
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree
Now it’s “Quarter, oh quarter,” the pirates then did cry
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
The quarter that we gave them was to sink them in the sea
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree.
And it was a sorry sight and it grieved our hearts full sore
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
To see ’em all a-swimming trying to get themselves ashore
Sailing down along the coast of High Barbaree