Our ship she laid in harbour, in Liverpool docks and more,
Awaiting for fresh orders her anchor for to weigh;
Bound down to the coast of Africa, our orders did run so:
We’re going to sink and destroy, my boys, no matter where we go.
We had not been sailing scarce fifty leagues or more,
When we espied a lofty ship and down on us he bore;
He hailed us in French colours, he asked us where and whence we came.
“We just come down from Liverpool town and the Dolphin is our name.”
“Are you a man-of-war, sir? Pray tell me what you be.”
“I am no man-of-war, sir, but a pirate ship you see.
Come heave up your fore and main yards and let your ship come to,
Our tackles are overhauled and our boats are all lowered, or else we will sink you.”
Now our Captain stood on the quarterdeck, he was brave and fearless too.
“It’s three to one against us,” he cried out to his crew;
“If it hadn’t have been for my younger brother, this battle would never been tried.
Let every man stand true to his guns and we’ll give to them a broadside.”
Now broadside to broadside which caused all hands to wonder,
To see that French lofty’s mast come rattling down like thunder;
We shot them from our quarterdeck ‘til they could no longer stay,
Our guns being smart and we played a fine part and we gave them Liverpool play.
Now this large French ship was taken and in Liverpool docks was moored,
We fired shots to our sweethearts with the nice little girls on shore;
We lowered down the French colours, and we hoisted the red, white and blue,
We’ll drink success to the Dolphin and all her jovial crew.