On a clear day, the
English protagonists casually encounter seven Algerine ships, sinking
one and capturing two.
The details of this song sound nondescript but they refer to real events... although
the date, ship names, and battle aftermath have apparently been altered. The Battle of Cádiz in 1669 took place between Rear-Admiral John Kempthorne's Mary Rose and a group of seven pirate ships. The Mary Rose
was escorting several merchants and diplomats when she was attacked
over December 18-19. Kempthorne jettisoned excess cargo and a recently
rescued ship, preparing to fight. Casualties were severe on both sides,
but the Mary Rose prevailed despite three damaged masts.
The events were well documented by the English engraver Wenceslaus
Hollar who watched the battle from the deck. The names of the Algerine
ships, apparently, were: the Golden Lion, Orange Tree, Half Moon, Seven Stars, White Horse, Blewhart, and Rose Leaf.
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On the twenty-fourth of February, the weather being clear, We spied sev'n sail of Turkish men-o'-war all belonging to Algier. With my right fol leath-erol, Right fol leath-er-ol, Right fol leath-er-ol day!
Rod-dle did dle di, roddle did-dle day, A right fol leather-ol day!
Now the first that came to our ship's side It was the Pink so clear Commanded by the big Bashaw, And belonging to Algier.
The next that came to our ship's side It was the Rose and Crown; We fired into her a good broadside, And quickly she went down.
So two we took, and one we sunk; The rest, they run away; And one we brought to old England's shore To show we had won the day.
