Words traditional
Music traditional: "High Barbaree"

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"
Cruising down along the coast of High Barbaree.

Aloft then aloft, our gallant captain cried
Look ahead, look astern, look a weather look a lee.

There's not upon the stern, there's not upon the lee
But there's a lofty ship to windward and she's blowing fast and free.

Ahoy then, ahoy, our gallant captain cried,
"Are you a man of war or a privateer?" cried he.

"I'm not a man of war nor privateer" cried he
I am a lofty pirateship come lookin' for my fee,

Then broadside to broadside along time we lay
Until the "Prince of Luther" shot the pirate's mast away.

Have mercy, have mercy, the pirate then did plea
But the mercy that we showed to them, we sank them in the sea.