The forty-year-old scholar from London found himself aboard a pirate ship after fleeing England to escape creditors after a failed commercial venture, foolishly losing the money he had obtain through a considerable loan after investing it all in a cargo of indigo from India, which was seized by pirates. Never intending to become a sea rover, but to simply escape the debtors prison, his desire for new experiences and knowledge enabled him to surprisingly fit in with the pirate crew easier than he would have expected, and his medical skills and linguistic abilities made him a welcome addition to the crew, although at times his academic vocabulary could be too much for some of his shipmates.
The Jolly Rogers
The Jolly Rogers, a pirate-themed folk group from Kansas, was founded in 1991. Their high-energy performances include traditional sea shanties, humorous songs and improvisational skits.
The Pirates Charles
Hailing from Los Angeles, the Pirates Charles combines hard rock and metal with folk and sea shanties to create a bold and vibrant sound. Besides electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and drums, their songs included the use of a violin, flute, and mandolin to create an energetic sound. Their songs are about piracy, drinking and other maritime themes with a large dash of humour.
Cam ye o’er frae France?
In the middle of the throng he saw a red-nosed Brownrigg perched on a stool singing surprisingly melodically what was no doubt a Jacobite song at the top of his voice.
After the death of Queen Anne in 1714 the British crown passed on to George, the Elector of Hanover. In his entourage George I brought with him a number of German courtiers, including his mistress Melusine von der Schulenburg, whom he later made the Duchess of Kendal (known as the Goose) and his half-sister Sophia von Kielmansegg (commonly referred to as the Sow). George I’s wife Sophia Dorothea of Celle remained in Hanover, imprisoned at Ahlden House after her affair with Philip Christoph von Königsmarck – the blade in the song. Another historic personality in the song is John Erskine, Earl of Mar (Bobbing John) who recruited in the Scottish Highlands for the Jacobite cause. The nickname Geordie Whelps is a reference to the House of Welf, the original line of the House of Hanover.…
Es waren drei Soldaten
“The soldiers briefly exchanged some words and then they too started singing vociferously.”