COAST OF HIGH BARBARY
The first Barbary War lasted from 1801-1805 and it was the Marine Corps’ initial clash
with outlaw barbarians. It is also how we got the phrase “shores of Tripoli” in the Marine
hymn. 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.
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.
There were two lofty ships
From old England came
Blow high, blow low
And so sail we
One was the Prince of Luther
The other Prince of Wales
All a-cruisin’ down the coast
Of High Barbary
“Aloft there, aloft there”
Our jolly boson cried
Blow high, blow low
And so sail we
“Look ahead, look astern,
Look to weather an’ a-lee”
All a-cruisin’ down the coast
Of High Barbary
“There’s naught upon the stern, sir
There’s naught upon our lee
Blow high, blow low
And so sail we
But there’s a lofty ship to wind’ard
An’ she’s sailin’ fast and free”
All a-cruisin’ down the coast
Of High Barbary
“Oh hail her, oh hail her”
One thought on “COAST OF HIGH BARBARY”
Kale A Deane………….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe0c4u55wa0