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Coast of the High Barbaree

from Dog Paddle by SaltyPaws

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about

The "Coast of High Barbary" is a traditional song which was popular among British and American sailors. It most frequently sung as a ballad but can also be a sea shanty. It tells of a sailing ship that came across a pirate ship off the Barbary Coast and defeated the pirates, who were left to drown. The most common lyrics may refer to the problems European and North American traders had with the North African pirates in the second half of the 18th century and the early 19th century, which led to the Barbary wars.

lyrics

Look a head, look a stern, look a weather and a lee
Blow High. Blow Low. And So Sailed We.
I see a wreck to windward and a lofty ship to lee
Cruisin' down the coast of the High Barbary.

"Oh, hail her! Oh, hail her!" our gallant Captain cried,
"Are you a man-o-war or a privateer?" said he,

"I am not a man-o-war nor privateer," said he;
"But I'm a salt-sea pirate whose a-looking for his fee,"

Twas broadside for broadside, they fought all on the main
Until at last the frigate shot the pirate's mast away

“For quarters! For quarters!” The saucy pirate cried
The quarters that we show'd them was to sink them in the tide

With cutlass and gun, we fought for hours three.
The ship it was their coffin and their grave it was the sea

But Oh, it was a cruel sight and grieved us full sore
To see them all a-drowning as they tried to swim to shore.

credits

from Dog Paddle, released July 17, 2013

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SaltyPaws Punta Gorda, Florida

When you think of wandering minstrels, do you ever think they might live on a boat? SaltyPaws is a sailing acoustic duo, living aboard their catamaran, sailing and singing the Atlantic eastern seaboard. You'll hear guitar and 5 string banjo, spiced with harmonica and concertina. Wherever the boat is in port, you'll find Bentley and Jim joining a jam, at an open mic, or busking a street corner. ... more

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