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 c*ckpit 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