Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
|
|
|
This song is also known as A New War Song by Sir Peter Parker.
Sir Peter Parker commanded the British fleet from the man-of-war Bristol during the attack on Charleston in 1776. His fleet received heavy fire from Fort Moultrie and was held back. During the battle his breeches were torn off and he was wounded in the thigh. The Constitutional Gazetteer reported: |
My lords with your leave An account I will give That deserves to be written in meter How the rebels and I Have been pretty nigh Faith, almost too nigh for Sir Peter. Ri tu den dio, ri tu den di ay Faith, almost too nigh for Sir Peter! With much labor and toil, Unto Sullivan's Isle, I came firm as Falstaff or Pistol, But the Yankees, dod rat'em, I could not get at 'em, So terribly mauled my poor Bristol. Ri tu den dio, ri tu den di ay So terribly mauled my poor Bristol. Devil take' em, their shot Came so swift and so hot And the cowardly dogs stood so stiff, Sir! That I put ship about And was glad to get out Or they would not have left me a skiff, Sir! Ri tu den dio, ri tu den di ay Or they would not have left me a skiff, Sir! Now Clinton by land Did quietly stand While my guns made a terrible rumpus, But my pride took a fall when a well-aimed ball Propelled me along on my bumpus! Ri tu den dio, ri tu den di ay Propelled me along on my bumpus! Now bold as a Turk I sailed for New York, Where with Clinton and Howe you may find me I've the wind in my tail And I'm hoisting my sail, To leave Sullivan's Island behind me. Ri tu den dio, ri tu den di ay To leave Sullivan's Island behind me. |
Related Links
|
|
From The Burl Ives Song Book See Bibliography for full information. |