Coast of High Barbaree

The Coast of High Barbary is a traditional sailors' song that was most frequently sung as a ballad but can also be a sea chanty and which was popular among British and American sailors. It tells the story of a sailing ship that came across a pirate ship and defeated the pirates who were left to drown.

An earlier version of the Ballad is found in the Stationers’ Register for January 14, 1595 and tells the fate of two merchant ships, the George Aloe and the Sweepstake both sailing to Safee. While the George Aloe was resting at anchor the Sweepstake sailed on, then a French ship attacked the Sweepstake and threw the crew overboard. The George Aloe chased and defeated the French ship whose crew were shown no mercy because of the fate of the crew of the Sweepstake.
The most common lyrics may refer to the problems, European and North American trade have had with the North African pirates in the last half of the 18th century and the early 19th century which was the reason of the barbary wars.

English version

• The Coasts of High Barbary
• High Barbary
• One Hundred English Folksongs By Cecil James Sharp
• High Barbary (West Country tune)
• High Barbaree (capstan chantey version)

American version

• The Coasts of High Barbary
• High Barbary

Recordings

• Quadriga Consort: CD "Ships Ahoy!", Alpha, 2011