“Le Grand Coureur”

Description

French shanty. Verses tell of the Corsair, which sets out from L'Orient to hunt the English. She runs into bad weather, bad Englishmen, bad food. Finally sinks and the crew save themselves by floating on various unfloatable objects (guns, anchors, etc)

Long description

French shanty. Verses tell of the Corsair, which sets out from L'Orient to hunt the English. She runs into bad weather, bad Englishmen, bad food. Finally sinks and the crew save themselves by floating on various unfloatable objects (guns, anchors, etc). Chorus: "Allons le gars, gai, gai! Allons les gars gaiment! / Let's go, lads, cheerily, cheerily, Let's go lads, so gaily!"

References

1. Hugill, pp. 422-424, "Le Grand Coureur" (2 texts-French & English, 1 tune)
2. BI, Hugi422