The George Aloe- W. M. (?) c.1864 JOAFL 1905 Barry
[From: Traditional Ballads in New England I by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 69 (Apr. - Jun., 1905), pp. 123-138
This is the first part of Barry's Traditional Ballads in New England, all three parts were published in 1905 in three consecutive editions of the JOAFL. In 1905 Barry had the adacity to call this a version of Child 285 and used Child's title. In 1929 he categorized this as a "secondary" ballad.
This version (no state is given) is based on or is similar to the broadside published in the American Songster (Cozzen) c. 1840.
R. Matteson 2014]
V. THE GEORGE ALOE AND THE SWEEPSTAKE
Recollected, June, 1904, by W. M., of the U. S. Navy, as sung over forty years ago by an ancient mariner.
1. Once there were two ships, and two ships they were of fame,
Blow high, blow low, for slow sail-ed we, -
And one was the King of Prussia and one was Archie of Spain,
Cruising down the lonely coast of the high Barbary.
2. "Now aloft, there aloft! " our gallant commander cried,
"Look ahead, look astern, look to windward and to lee!"
3. "Oh, there's nothing ahead, and there's nothing astern,
But there 's a lofty frigate to windward, and another on our lee."
4. "Now, hail her, oh, hail her!" our gallant commander cried,
"Oh, I am the salt sea pirate, as this night you soon shall see!"
5. Then broadside for broadside this daring dog did pour,
Till the man at the helm shot the pirate's mast away.
6. Then for mercy, for mercy this daring dog did cry,
"Oh, the mercy I will give you, I will sink you in the sea!"
7. "Your ship shall be your coffin, and your grave shall be the sea,
Your ship shall be your coffin, and your grave shall be the sea!"