Interesting Facts about The Princess Royal
“The Princess Royal” is the last variation of the “High Barbaree” song presented by Stan Hugill in his “Shanties from the Seven Seas”. Stan Hugill takes this version from Bill Fuller of Cornwall, who had it from an old man-o’-war’s man.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the forebitter.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 421).
The Record of The Princess Royal
You can also find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
The Princess Royal
On the fourteenth of Febru’ry we sailed from the land,
In the bold “Princess Royal” bound for New Foun’-land,
We had forty five seamen for a ship’s company,
The wind from the east’-end, To the west’-end steered we.
* 2 *
We’d hardly been sailin’ but a day two or three,
When the man from our masthead strange sail he did see.
She came bearin’ down on us with her topsails so high,
And under her mizen-peak black colours did fly.
* 3 *
An’ when this bold pirate had have alongside,
With a loud speakin’ voice, ‘We are comin’!’ he cried,
‘We come from fair London bound to Callao,
So hinder us not in our passage to go.’
* 4 *
‘Back yer maintops’l an’ heave yer ship to,
For I have a letter to be carried home by you.’
‘I’ll back my maintops’l an’ heave my ship to,
But only in some harbour an’ alongside o’ you.’
* 5 *
He chased us to wind’ard an’ through the long day,
An’ he chased us to loo’ard but he could not gain way,
An’ he fired long-shot after us, but he could not prevail,
An’ the bold Princess Royal soon showed a clean tail.
* 6 *
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down every man,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, go down one an’ all,
Go down to yer grog, m’ lads, an’ be o’ good cheer,
For as long as we’ve sea-room we’ve nothin’ to fear!