Look ahead, look astern, look the weather and the lee,
Blow high! Alow low! and so sailed we.
I see a wreck to windward and a lofty ship to lee,
A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.

O are you a pirate or a man o'war? Cried we
Blow high! Alow low! and so sailed we.
O no! I'm not a pirate, but a man o'war, cried he,
A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.

Then back up your topsails and heave your vessel to;
Blow high! Alow low! and so sailed we.
For we have got some letters to be carried home by you.
A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.

We'll back up our topsails and heave our vessel to;
Blow high! Alow low! and so sailed we.
But only in some harbour and along the side of you.
A-sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbaree.