It's of a flash frigate, La Pique was her name
All in the West Indies she bore great fame:
For cruel bad usage of ev'ry degree
Like slaves in the galley we ploughed the salt sea
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
Now at four in the morning our work does begin
In our 'tween decks and cock-pit a bucket might swim
Our main and top foremen so loudly do bawl
For sand and for holystone both great and small
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
Now our decks being washed down and swabbed up quite dry
It's lash up your hammocks our bos'n does cry
Seven turns of a lashing so neatly must show
And all of one size through a loop they must go
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
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 God damn your eyes!
I've a pump handle here that'll soon trim your size!
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
And now, my brave boys, comes the best of the fun
It's hands about ship and reef topsails in one
It's lay aloft, topmen, as the hell-um goes down
And clew down your tops'ls as the mainyard comes 'round
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
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
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
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 'til you ain't worth a damn
And send you half dead to your dear native land
Derry down, down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
Down, down derry-down
