Part 35

P. 240. =The Humours of the Royal Billy.= Printed by Ashton, _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 93* (British Museum, pressmark 11621, k. 5 [159]). Probably belongs to the early part of the nineteenth century rather than to the beginning of George III.’s reign.

P. 243. =The Dolphin’s Return.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, i. 230, No. 485). On the voyage, see Clowes iv. 119. Samuel Wallis commanded the Dolphin and Philip Carteret the Swallow. The Dolphin arrived at Plymouth May 20, 1768; the Swallow did not return till March 1769.

P. 244. =The Brags of Washington.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, i. 82, No. 181).

P. 245. =On the Late Engagement in Charlestown River.= Ashton’s _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 15. From _The Shepherd’s Garland_ in the British Museum (pressmark 11621. c. 1 [7]). In verse 5 the original reads ‘displayed.’ On the attack upon Charleston, June 28, 1776, see Clowes, iii. 372.

P. 246. =Sullivan’s Island.= From Frank Moore’s _Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution_, 1856, p. 135. Sir Peter is Commodore Sir Peter Parker, to whom the American satirist attributed this ‘war-song.’

P. 247. =The Cruisers.= _Roxburghe Ballads_, viii. 323. Said to be ‘written by Frederick Pilon, and sung in _The Liverpool Prize_.’

P. 248. =The Arethusa.= Words by Prince Hoare, music by Shield, in the opera of _The Lock and Key_. In verse 2 some versions substitute ‘old Keppel’ for ‘the spring fleet.’

P. 249. =The Greenlandmen.= From _Portsmouth Jack’s Garland_ in the British Museum (pressmark 11261. c. 2 [58]).

P. 252. =Admiral Keppel Triumphant.= From a slipsong in the possession of the editor.

P. 253. =Keppel and de Chartres.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 272, No. 1275). The captain of the Egmont, John Carter Allen, is called Adieu, Allech, or Allen in the original, and in the last line of stanza 7 it reads ‘we gave him a broadside, which put their heart in fear.’

P. 255. =A New Song in Praise of Admiral Keppel’s Fleet.= From a slipsong in the possession of the editor. Jack the Painter was the nickname of an incendiary hanged March 10, 1777, for attempting to set fire to the dockyards at Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Bristol. See Lord Mahon’s _History of England_, ed. 1858, pp. 141-145.

P. 255. =Admiral Keppel Triumphant.= _Roxburghe Ballads_, viii. 326. From Dr. Burney’s collection of English songs in the British Museum, ix. 110. Words and music by J. Timms, of Dartford, published about February 1779 after Keppel’s acquittal.

P. 257. =Keppel for Ever.= _Roxburghe Ballads_, viii. 325. ‘Sir Hugh’ is printed ‘Sir You,’ in the original. ‘Twitcher’ means Lord Sandwich.

P. 258. =A New Song on Admiral Barrington.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 311, No. 1364). On the battle, July 6, 1779, see Clowes iv. 434.

P. 259. =Paul Jones.= There are many versions of this ballad. One is printed in _Roxburghe Ballads_, viii. 332 (with four others). A more correct version was printed by Such, Forth, and other country printers. The version given in the text is a composite one put together from these different sources by the editor.

P. 260. =Captain Farmer.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, ii. 36). On Tyrrell and Cornwall see Clowes iii. 300, and Charnock iv. 131.

P. 261. =The Bold Blades of Old England.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, i. 73, No. 164).

P. 262. =The Royal Sailor.= From a song-book called _The Vocal Companion_, published at Preston, in the Bodleian Library (pressmark 2802. e. 1). In verse 6 ‘coral-red’ is an emendation for ‘coral-clad.’ _The Royal Sailor_ is also printed in _The New Vocal Enchantress_, 1789, p. 180.

P. 263. =Hood’s Conquest over the Count de Grasse.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 34, and also _Garlands_, i. 1.)

P. 265. =The Loss of the Centaur.= Ashton, _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 40. See Clowes iv. 88, and Duncan, _The Mariner’s Chronicle_, i. 191.

P. 266. =The Robin Hood.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 265). It has proved impossible to identify either the Robin Hood or her captain.

P. 267. =Nymphe and Cleopatra.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 315, No. 1371). The statement of the ballad as to the armament of the two frigates is inaccurate, as such statements frequently are in songs. The Nymphe had on her main-deck twenty-six 12-pounders, the Cléopâtre, twenty-eight; the Nymphe had eight carronades, 24-pounders, the Cléopâtre four 36-pounders. Their force was practically equal.

P. 268. =The Downfall of the French Fleet.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 319, No. 1379).

P. 271. =A New Sea Song.= Bodleian Library (pressmark 2803. f. 4).

P. 274. =The Blanche Frigate.= A composite text put together from three versions in the editor’s possession, printed by Pitts, Keys, and Ferraby, and from one in the Madden collection (_Country Printers_, i. 48_b_). The latter is the earliest and best, but some readings have been adopted from the others, and there are several conjectural emendations. An alternative title is _The Tars of the Blanche_.

P. 276. =The Amazon Frigate.= From a slipsong in the possession of the editor, printed by J. Pitts. On the action see James’s _Naval History_, ii. 12; on the wreck of the Droits de l’Homme see Duncan, _Mariner’s Chronicle_, ii. 300.

P. 277. =A New Song= (=The Seventeen Bright Stars=). Record Office, Admiralty, Secretary. _In Letters_ cxi. _Correspondence of Bridport and Others_, August 1798.

P. 279. =The Genius of Britain.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, i. 318).

P. 280. =British Tars Rewarded.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, i. 96, No. 316).

P. 282. =A New Song on Parker.= Printed by Masefield, _A Sailor’s Garland_, p. 121.

P. 282. =The Death of Parker.= Printed by W. H. Logan, _A Pedlar’s Pack_, p. 62. Other versions with variants are in the possession of the editor.

P. 283. =A New Song in Praise of Admiral Duncan.= From the Madden collection (_Country Printers_, i. 50).

P. 285. =A New Song on the Engagement between the Mars and La Hercule.= From the Madden collection (_Slipsongs_, ii. 318, No. 1378).

P. 286. =Verses Written on Board the Astræa.= Extracted from the _Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux_, 2nd edition, London 1827, p. 57. Stanza 5, l. 5 ‘my poor half-pint.’ Half a pint of rum (or arrack in India) was the ration till about 1825. Officers, and apparently the midshipmen, got it in bottles. To the men, since Vernon’s time, it was served out as grog twice a day.

P. 289. =The Arrow.= Printed in Ashton’s _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 23. Original in the British Museum (pressmark 11621, c. 6 [1]).

P. 290. =Copenhagen.= Printed in Laughton’s _Nelson Memorial_, p. 196, and in Beattie’s _Life of T. Campbell_, ii. 42-6.

P. 295. =Action off Copenhagen.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, ii. 7). In the original the first line of the last verse runs, ‘Now, my brave boys, we have beaten the Danes,’ and there is another verse beginning, ‘Now to conclude and to finish my tale.’

P. 296. =A New Song on Lord Nelson’s Victory.= Printed in Ashton’s _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 16. Original in the British Museum (pressmark 1077. g. 47 [18]--a chapbook entitled _Nelson’s Wreath_).

P. 297. =A New Song composed by the Wounded Tars at the Siege of Boulogne.= Versions of this, entitled _The Battle of Boulogne_, were printed by Catnach and Birt, and are reprinted by Ashton, _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 17. The version in the text is from a chapbook in the British Museum (pressmark 1076. l. 2 [45]).

P. 298. =France Covered with Glory.= From Haslewood’s collection of songs in the Bodleian.

P. 300. =La Loire Frigate.= From Fairburn’s _Naval Songster_ for 1806, p. 34. The action was June 2, 1805 (Clowes v. 362).

P. 301. =Nelson’s Glorious Victory at Trafalgar.= From Logan’s _Pedlar’s Pack_, 1869, p. 67.

P. 302. =Death of Nelson.= Versions of this, differing slightly in the words, were printed by Pitts, Such, Forth of Pocklington, and other town and country printers during the first half of the nineteenth century. In _The Scouring of the White Horse_, by T. Hughes, p. 153, it is described as sung in a Berkshire public-house about 1859. ‘The Doctor walked over to a lower table and spoke to a grisly-headed old man in a velveteen coat and waistcoat and a blue birdseye neckerchief, who seemed pleased, and drew his sleeve across his mouth, and cleared his throat. Then there was a rapping on the table, and the old bargee began in a rumbling bass voice: “Come all you gallant seamen as unites a meeting.”’

Four verses only are given, the third in our version being omitted. The last verse ends:

‘And now to conclude, and to finish these verses: “My time it is come; kiss me, Hardy!” he cried. Now thousands go with you, and ten thousand blessings For gallant Lord Nelson, in battle who died.’

The text adopted on p. 302 is a composite version from Such’s and Forth’s: the first four lines are from Such’s version, the last four from Forth’s, and readings are taken from both. The order of the second and third verses has been changed, and the two halves of stanza 3 transposed. Some verbal emendations have been made--_e.g._ ‘rest on,’ for ‘resting,’ in the last line.

P. 304. =Admiral Strachan’s Victory.= From Fairburn’s _Naval Songster_ for 1806, p. 32. The action was fought November 4, 1805 (Clowes, v. 171).

P. 305. =The Amethyst and Thetis.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, ii. 227, No. 451). See Clowes, v. 427; James, iv. 376. The action took place November 10-11, 1808.

P. 306. =The Successful Attempt ... in the Basque Roads.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, i. 174). See Clowes, v. 252-270; James, iv. 395-430.

P. 307. =Jefferys the Seaman.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, ii. 2). A full account of the case is given by James, _Naval History_, iv. 273, ed. 1886. Captain Warwick Lake was dismissed from the Navy, February 1810, for marooning Robert Jeffery on the desert island of Sombrero, in the West Indies.

P. 308. ‘=Ye Parliament of England.=’ Text from G. C. Eggleston’s _American War Ballads and Lyrics_. New York (1889), i. 131. ‘It was still a favourite song in many parts of the country as late as 1859,’ writes the editor.

P. 309. =The Constitution and Guerriere.= Text from Eggleston’s _American War Ballads and Lyrics_, i. 115. Action August 19, 1812. See James, v. 372; Clowes, vi. 34; Mahan, _Sea Power: its Relation to the War of 1812_, i. 330.

I have been unable to discover the date of the tune mentioned in the title, nor is the date of the song itself certain. It is contended on the American side that this song preceded that on the Shannon and Chesapeake, which was imitated from it, and on the other side that _The Constitution and Guerriere_ is the later of the two. The evidence alleged for the priority of the American song is, briefly: William Dunlap’s _Yankee Chronology_ (a spirited musical drama) was produced at the Park Theatre, in New York, September 9, 1812 (Ireland’s _New York Stage_, i. 288), and Mr. Brander Matthews thinks that may be the origin of these verses. An intelligent veteran of the war of 1812, present at the unveiling of the Perry statue at Cleveland on Lake Erie in 1860, told the historian Lossing that he heard them sung at the Park Theatre, in New York, early in the fall of 1812, and that they were much heard at public meetings, in bar-rooms, in work-shops, and in the streets of the city (extract from the _Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass._, vol. xx.). These arguments are not very conclusive. The discovery of the original song, _The Landlady of France_, which both imitate, would probably settle the matter. In the meantime it seems best to print the song on the victory of the Constitution first, because the incident it celebrates happened first.

P. 311. =Shannon and Chesapeake.= The text is a traditional version supplied by Sir J. K. Laughton. There is a broadside version, reprinted in Logan’s _Pedlar’s Pack_, p. 69, which omits the third verse and gives many different readings. The most important differences are the following:--In verse 4, ‘The engagement scarce begun, Ere they flinched from their guns, Which at first they thought of working, &c. Then brave Broke he drew his sword,’ &c. In verse 5, ‘They no sooner heard the word, Ere they quickly jumped on board, And hauled down the Yankee ensign, &c. Notwithstanding all their brag, Now the glorious British flag At the Yankee’s mizen peak was quite the dandy O.’ The last verse begins, ‘Here’s a health, brave Broke, to you, To your officers and crew, Who on board the Shannon frigate fought so handy O!’ Another version is to be found in the _Harrow School Song-book_.

On the action see James, vi. 50; Clowes, vi. 75; Mahan, _Sea Power in its relations to the War of 1812_, ii. 131.

P. 312. =Battle of the Shannon and Chesapeake.= Text from two broadsides, one printed by Pitts, the other by Such, both in the editor’s collection.

P. 313. =The Endymion’s Triumph.= From the Madden collection (_Garlands_, i. 257). Action on January 15, 1815. See James, vi. 238; Clowes, vi. 167; Mahan, _Sea Power in its relations to the War of 1812_, ii. 398.

P. 316. =The British Tars.= Text from the editor’s collection. Printed by J. Pitts, 6 St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials. Line 15 reads, ‘haughty Gaul,’ clearly erroneous.

P. 316. =The Fancy Frigate.= Text from British Museum _Ballads_, 1871, f. 32. Also printed by Ashton, _Real Sailor Songs_, p. 78*.

Another version supplied by Sir J. K. Laughton begins, ‘There was a fine frigate, the Pique was her name.’ Some corrections of the printed text have been adopted from the traditional version. In line 9 this traditional version gives ‘Mr. McCleverty,’ which was apparently the real name of the officer whose nickname is given in the text. A third and shorter version, called _The Flash Frigate_, is printed in Mr. Masefield’s _Sailor’s Garland_, p. 188.

P. 319. =The Saucy Scylla.= From the Madden collection (_Country Printers_, vii. 267).

P. 320. =The Vanguard.= From the Madden collection (_Country Printers_, vii. 163). In the last line, ‘Jondy’ = Master-at-Arms.

P. 322. =The Port Admiral.= By Captain Marryat, printed in _Snarleyow, or the Dog-Fiend_.

P. 324. =Oh, Cruel.= Text from a broadside printed by Evans, Long Lane, London, in the editor’s collection. Another version is headed, ‘written and sung by a gentleman in the character of a female ballad-singer at Liverpool Theatre.’

P. 325. =The Answer to Oh, Cruel.= Text from a broadside in the possession of the editor, printed by J. Pitts, 14 Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials.

P. 326. =The Female Lieutenant.= From a broadside in the possession of the editor, without printer’s name or place. Another version, frequently found, makes the two lovers come from Lichfield, names the lady Sarah Gray or Sarah Dunn, and makes her marry the captain. In Douce’s collection in the Bodleian Library there is a much longer version, in three parts, called _The Female Sailor’s Garland_.

P. 327. =Billy Taylor.= Printed in Fairburn’s _Naval Songster_ for 1805, p. 16.

P. 328. =Cawsand Bay.= Version supplied by Sir J. K. Laughton, who writes: ‘It was brought into vogue about fifty years ago by a dear friend and brother officer of mine, Richard Creagh Saunders, then Naval Instructor of the Marlborough, the flagship in the Mediterranean. He was a man of poetic feeling, with a pretty turn for versifying, and a good knowledge of music, though no voice to speak of. The account he gave me of it is this: He was staying in the country with an old messmate--I don’t think he mentioned the name--who one day gave him some old journals, scrapbooks, &c., to look through; and among them he found this song, which he copied there and then. Of its origin there was no trace. I more than half suspect that he was himself the author of it. The tune to which he always sang it, and which his successors have of course followed, is, he said, an adaptation of an air in _Don Giovanni_.’

Mr. Saunders was born in January 1809, entered the navy in 1839, retired in 1865, and died in March 1886. There was a song called _Cawsand Bay_, popular in the thirties, according to Captain Glascock. See Introduction, p. cxiv.

P. 330. =General Campbell.= Text from British Museum, 1876 (d. 217). On the events mentioned, see Clowes, vi. The names of the ships in verse 9 should be the Liffey and the Larne. The latter was commanded by Marryat.

P. 331. =Captain Ross.= From the Madden collection (_London Printers_, vii. 16). Date 1833. See Clowes, vi. 514-16.

P. 333. =Capture of St. Jean d’Acre.= From the Madden collection (_Country Printers_, iii. 51). Action November 3, 1840. See Clowes, vi. 318. In verse 6, line 3, the original reads ‘Curasford’ for ‘Carysfort.’

P. 334. =The Borneo Heroes.= Text in British Museum (1876, d. [810]). Also in the editor’s collection, printed by Riall & Co., 2 Monmouth Court, Seven Dials. Boat action in Malluda Bay, August 19, 1845. See Clowes, vi. 329.

P. 335. =The Slave Chase.= From a broadside in the possession of the editor, printed by H. Such, 177 Union Street, Borough, S.E.

P. 336. =The Russians Won’t Come Out.= Text in _The War Song Book_, 1855, p. 8.

P. 337. =Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate.= By R. C. Saunders. Communicated by Sir J. K. Laughton.

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

All thinges we have ready and nothing we want, 17

All ye noble British spirits, 200

All you that will be England’s friends, 126

A mighty great fleet, the like was ne’er seen, 112

An American frigate, called the _Richard_ by name, 259

A prentice I was at Wapping-new-stairs, 210

Arise, arise, brave Britons, 301

As brave Sir Rooke Tholouse did beat, 154

A second part I here indite, 76

As it fell on a holy-day, and upon a holy-tide-a, 16

As itt beffell in midsumer-time, 6

As near Porto Bello lying, 179

As we was sailing on the main, 129

Attend you and give ear awhile, 34

Behold, upon the swelling wave, 247

Billy Taylor was a gay young fellow, 327

Brave Admiral Matthews has been on the main, 186

Brave loyal hearted Englishmen, attend whilst I declare, 54

Bright honor now calls--each true Briton attend, 285

Captain Chilver’s gone to sea, 89

Captain Cobb in Lynn doth dwell, a man of worthy fame, 189

Cease now the talke of wonders nothing rare, 36

Come, all loyal lovers that’s faithful and true, 101

Come, all ye British hearts of gold, 270

Come, all ye jolly sailors bold, 248

Come, all ye jolly sailors with courage stout and bold, 212

Come, all ye seamen bold, lend an ear, lend an ear, 149

Come, all ye valiant seamen of courage stout and bold, 168

Come, all ye valiant seamen that plough the raging main, 253

Come, all ye young fellows, attend to my song, 240

Come, all ye young seamen that plow on the main, 266

Come, all you bold Britons to the seas do belong, 277

Come, all you brave boys, whose courage is bold, 131

Come, all you brave Britons wherever you be, 206

Come, all you brave sailors that plough on the main, 187

Come, all you brave sailors that sail on the main, 47

Come, all you brave seamen and landsmen likewise, 244

Come, all you brave seamen of courage so free, 84

Come, all you brave seamen that plows on the main, 214

Come, all you British heroes listen to what I say, 267

Come, all you British sailors bold, and listen to my song, 287

Come, all you British seamen bold, that plow the raging main, 276

Come, all you gallant seamen that unite a meeting, 302

Come, all you jolly sailors bold, 172

Come, all you jolly sailors bold, the truth you soon shall know, 334

Come, all you jolly sailors of courage stout and bold, 258

Come, all you jolly sailors that to the seas are bent, 190

Come, all you jolly seamen, that’s willing to enter, 194

Come, all you jovial sailors, give ear unto my song, 263

Come, all you old warlike liners, who boast of deeds of war, 333

Come, all you seamen stout and bold, and listen to my song, 320

Come, all you thoughtless young men, a warning take by me, 316

Come, all you valiant British tars, attend unto my theme, 313

Come, all you valiant Britons of every degree, 306

Come, all you valiant heroes that sail upon the sea, 305

Come, all you who delight in a frolicksome song, 319

Come, all you young seamen, wherever you be, 255

Come, and listen to my ditty, all ye jolly hearts of gold, 162

Come, brave honest Jack Tar, once more will you venture? 235

Come, cheer up, my lads, ’tis to glory we steer, 220

Come, join with me, you Britons bold, 203

Come, jolly sailors, join with me, 195

Come, listen awhile with attention, 331

Come, loyal Britons all rejoyce with joyful acclamations, 177

Come pity me, young maidens all, 193

Come, rouse up, my lads, let us haste to the main, 261

Come, you jovial British fellows, 184

Countrie men of England, who live at home with ease, 40

Draw near, ye gallant seamen, 54

Each bold British tar, 252

Fair Sally lov’d a bonny sailor, 163

Gallants, you must understand, 25

Give ear, true Britons, to my song, 223

Give ear, ye sons of glory, 209

God prosper long our noble King, his fleet and sailors all, 231

Good people all, I pray attend a most surprising story, 298

Good people all, pray give attention to this fatal tragedy, 192

Good people, do but lend an ear, 140

Good people, give ear, I’ll tell you a story, 170

Good people of old England, come listen unto me, 245

Great Charles, your English seamen upon our bended knee, 53

Hark! Hark! alas! what fatal news is come? 160

How goes it, brother Jack? 227

How pleasant a sailor’s life passes, 164

I am a jovial marriner, our calling is well known, 42

I am a sailor bold, and press’d to serve the King, 211

I am an undaunted seaman, and for King Charles I will fight, 61

I am in a consternation at my now approaching death, 154

I said unto brave West, ‘Take the van, take the van,’ 210

I sing not the battle (so fam’d) of Lepanto, 110

I sing ye a ballad as round me ye stand, 120

I wald noght spare for to speke, wist I to spede, 3

I will not sing in Parker’s praise, 281

In Cawsand Bay lying, 328

It is of a fine Frigate, dare not mention her name, 316

It oft-times has been told, 309

It was in the month of April, upon the 14th day, 330

Joyful tydings I bring; let us merrily sing, 125

Let England, and Ireland, and Scotland rejoyce, 58

Let every loyal Briton sing, 199

Let every loyal soul rejoyce, 174

Life is chequer’d--toil and pleasure, 165

Listen awhile and I here will unfold, 95

Long the proud Spaniards had vanted to conquer us, 21

Lustely, lustely lustely, let us saile forthe, 17

Men may leve alle gamys, 4

Minot with mowth had menid to make, 1

Mr. Cleveland, I pray, to their Lordships you’ll say, 207

Muse will have her song; hark! she merrily sings, 151

My Lords, with your leave, 246

My love, I come to take my leave, 99

My name is Captain Kid, 134

Not many moones have from their silver bowes, 31

Now, noble brave boys, let the sweet trumpet sound, 106

Now of noble, hardy men of might, 156

O noble England, fall doune upon thy knee, 18

Observe this true relation, and listen unto me, 222

Of all the curst plagues that e’er Fate did decree, 233

Of late near the Strand, we well understand, 104

Of Nelson and the North, 290

Of thee, great State, the god of waves, 36

Off Cape Finisterre lay the king’s ship _La Loire_, 300

Oh! cruel were my parents to tear my love from me, 324

Oh! cruel were thy parents that envied our love, 325

Oh! we sail’d to Virginia, and thence to Fayal, 148

Old Paul’s steeple, fare thee well, 37

On board the noble _Ann_, 249

On board the _Shannon_ frigate, in the merry month of May, 312

On the second day of August, eighteen hundred and one, 297

Once more, brave boys, let us proclaim, 181

One day, as I was sitting still, 82

Our boatswain calls out for his bold British heroes, 239

Our goodly ship was loaded deep, 86

Rejoice, rejoyce, brave English boys, 66