La Pique

Lyrics

[Verse 1] It's of a flash frigate, La Pique was her name All in the West Indies she bore a great fame For cruel bad usage of every degree Like slaves in the galley we ploughed the salt sea [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 2] Now at four in the morning our work does begin In our 'tween decks and cockpit a bucket might swim Our main and top foremen so loudly do bawl For sand and for holystone both great and small [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 3] Our decks being washed down and swabbеd up quite dry It's, "Lash up your hammocks" our bos'n does cry Sevеn turns with a lashing so neatly must show And all of one size through a loop they must go [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 4] Now, Mister McKeever, you knows him quite well He comes up on deck and he cuts a great swell "It's up on them yards boys, or goddamn your eyes I've a pump handle here that'll soon trim your size!" [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 5] And now, me brave boys, comes the best of the fun It's hands about ship and reef tops'ls in one It's lay aloft, topmen, and the hell-um goes down And clew down your tops'ls as the mainyard comes 'round [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 6] Now your quids of tobacco I'd have you to mind If you spits upon deck it's your death warrant signed If you spits over bow, over gangway or stern You're sure of three dozen to help you to learn [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down [Verse 7] So now, brother sailors, wherever you be From all fancy frigates I'd have you keep free For they'll haze you and work you till you ain't worth a damn And send you half dead to your dear native land [Refrain] Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down, down, down Derry down