The Coast of High Barbary
High Seas Drama: A Tale of Conflict and Redemption
Lyrics
Look ahead, look astern
Observing the front and rear of the ship.
Look the weather in the lee
Checking the weather on the protected side of the ship.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Sailing through varying winds, facing challenges.
I see a wreck to the windward
Spotting a wreck upwind.
And a lofty ship to lee
Seeing a large ship on the leeward side.
A-sailing down along the coast
Sailing along the coast of High Barbary.
Of High Barbary
Reinforces the setting of the journey.
"O, are you a pirate
Questioning the identity of the approaching ship.
Or a man o' war?" cried we
Emphasizing the uncertainty of the ship's nature.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Continuing the journey amidst uncertainty.
"O no! I'm not a pirate, but a man-o-war
Denying being a pirate but a man-of-war.
" cried he a-sailing down along the coast
Reiterating the identity while sailing.
Of High Barbary
Reaffirmation of the location, High Barbary.
"We'll back up our topsails, and
Preparing to reduce sail and stop the ship.
Heave our vessel to, "
Action of heaving the vessel to.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Continuing the journey after the pause.
"For we have got some letters to
Announcing the possession of letters to be carried.
Be carried home by you"
Assigning the task to the ship they encounter.
A-sailing down along the coast
Repetition of the sailing location.
Of High Barbary
Reiteration of the coast's name.
For broadside, for broadside
Blank line for separation.
They fought all on the main
Describing a fierce broadside battle at sea.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Continuing the journey amid the battle.
Until at last the frigate shot
Outcome of the battle where the frigate disables the pirate's mast.
The pirate's mast away
Impact of the frigate's shot on the pirate ship.
A-sailing down along the coast
Reaffirmation of the sailing location.
Of High Barbary
Restating the coastal setting.
For quarters, for quarters
Requesting quarter (surrender) from the pirates.
The saucy pirates cried
Pirates defiantly respond to the request.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Continuing the journey amidst confrontation.
The quarters that we showed them was
Offering quarters in the form of sinking them in the tide.
To sink them in the tide
Describing the harsh consequence for the pirates.
A-sailing down along the coast
Repeating the coastal setting.
Of High Barbary
Reiteration of High Barbary's coast.
With cutlass, and with gun, O'
Engaging in a fierce battle with weapons.
We fought hours three
Continuing the journey while fighting for three hours.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Facing the consequences of the battle.
The ship it was their coffin
Portraying the ship as the pirates' coffin.
And their grave it was the sea
Highlighting the sea as their final resting place.
A-sailing down all on the
Repetition of the coastal journey.
Coasts of High Barbary
Final affirmation of the location, High Barbary.
Blow high, blow low, and so sailed we
Continuing the journey despite challenges.
A-sailing down all on the
Repeating the coastal setting.
Coasts of High Barbary
Final affirmation of the journey along High Barbary.
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