La Pique

This song goes by many names, and shares a tune with a contemporary song called "The Bachelor". The earliest textual record of the song dates to 1863, but the ships named in the various versions of the song make it difficult to trace which was first. The tune is "Derry Down", which circulated dance halls in the mid 19th century.

This song is not part of the Longest Johns' standard repertoire, and is performed primarily on Andy's solo livestreams.

### Factoids

There have been three ships in the British Navy called *HMS Pique*; the most likely referent (for at least one version of the song) is the second of the three, which was taken from the French in 1800 and sailed until 1819. According to Christopher Shay, *Pique* was known as a "blood ship" for the harsh discipline on board.

Another possibility is the third *HMS Pique*, launched in 1834 and in service for three quarters of a century. In one notable incident, the ship ran aground in at storm in the Belle Isle Straits on the coast of Canada. She was refloated and made the journey back across the Atlantic, rudderless and leaking badly, to Portsmouth, where it was discovered that a large rock had punctured the hull and been carried across the Atlantic with it. The stone is on display in a historic dockyard in Portsmouth to this day.

Robert B. Waltz notes that many versions of the song "do not give the ship's name — some, indeed, explicitly say the name is secret." It is unclear which version came first, and the song has been altered to reference several ships over the years.

## Lyrics

>
> 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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
> Derry down, down, down derry-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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
>
>
> 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!
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus)
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> (Chorus til finish)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

## Recordings

#### Chill Streams

* Roll on down to Chillbury Town! With Andy - 10/04/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Roll on UP to Chillbury Town! With Andy - 13/04/2020 Stream Full VOD
* It's a glorious morning in Chillbury Town! With Andy - 17/04/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Won't you come down to Chillbury Town - 24/04/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Welcome to Chillville! Population: Andy - 01/05/2020 Stream Full VOD
* It's a beautiful morning in Chillbury Town - 08/05/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Welcome to Chillville. Drive safe! Playing mostly folk music... - 15/05/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Look out i'm doing a music! - 22/05/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Enter the Chilldome! Playing mostly folk music... - 05/06/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Observe the Chilldome. Playing mostly folk music... - 17/07/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Look out! It's a music! Playing mostly folk... - 21/08/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Shut the front door! It's a music! - 18/09/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Late Night Super Folk Music Time! - 22/11/2020 Stream Full VOD
* Mostly Folk Music - 8/01/2021 Stream Full VOD
* Just one tired man and a banjo... - 17/01/2021 Stream Full VOD

1. ↑ https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=62355#1007395
2. ↑ http://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/ShaSS178.html
3. ↑ http://www.memorialsinportsmouth.co.uk/dockyard/pique.htm
4. ↑ http://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/ShaSS178.html
5. ↑ https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=62355#2907710