The Coast of Barbary- American Songster Broadside (NY) c1840 Cozzen

The Coast of Barbary- Broadside (NY) c.1840 Cozzen

[No date is supplied but I'm guessing this preceeded the Forget-Me-Not Songster version by a few years and apparently was not based on Deming's c. 1831 version- since there are differences. The last vese is unique. Taken from Barry et all in the 1929 British Ballads from Maine (B version).

R. Matteson 2014]


B. "The Coast or Barbary." From the American Songster (no date; printed by Philip J. Cozzens, New York).

1 There was two ships from England set sail,
Blow high, blow low, and so sail'd we,
One was the King of Prussia, and the other the Prince of Wales,
Cruising down the coast of Barbary.

2 There is nothing ahead, and nothing astern,
Blow high, blow low and so sail'd we,
But a lofty ship to windward and towards us bearing way,
Cruising down the coast of Barbary.

3 Then hail her, O hail her, our noble captain cried,
Blow high, blow low and so sail'd we,
Are you a man-of-war, or a privateer, said he,
Cruising down the coast of Barbary.

4 I am no man-of-war or privateer, said he,
Blow high, blow low, and so sail'd we,
But I am that saucy pirate that is seeking for my prey,
Cruising down the coast of Barbarv.

5 Then broadside to broadside these two ships did go,
Blow high, blow low and so sail'd we,
Till at last the saucy English, the pirate mast did blow away,
Cruising down the coast of Barbary.

6 For better than two hours this battle lasted as you see,
BIow high, blow low and so sail'd we,
The ship it was their coffin, and their grave it was the sea,
Cruising down the coast of Barbary.