John Adams and the Madre de Dreu

[Andy Howell]

This is based on true events. I've tried to create a rhythmic lyric to fit in with the traditional sounding tune. For years people have called me a folk singer which I'm not really — so I thought it was time I wrote something sea shanty-ish.

When Henry VII of England died he left England as the richest and most influential state in Europe. Nobody could go to war without borrowing funds from Henry. By the time his son Henry VIII died he's bankrupted the country. Queen Elizabeth rebuilt the notion —to no limited degree — on piracy and plunder, targeting Spanish ships returning from the New World.

In 1592 Raleigh's fleet encountered a Portuguese fleet returning from the Indias. After a day of fighting the tooth flagship and found on board a massive treasure. So rich was this treasure that it was worth over half the value of the Treasury in London.

The booty was landed in Dartmouth in Devon. By the time Raleigh and an escort arrived to collect the treasure for the Treasury it is estimated three quarters of it had simply disappeared into the night!

C sus 2 Tuning (CGCGCD) Capo 5

John Adams and the Madre de Dreu

Oh my name it is John Adams
From Kingswear I do hail
I was born out on the water
For a life spent under sail
They Pressed me out of Dartmouth
To join Raleigh’s finest crew
To fight for Queen and Country
To loot and plunder too.

_Chorus_

I was born on the water
For a life under sail
I’d rather ride the ocean
Than rot in some damp jail

T’was early then in August, 1592
To the Azores we did sail
Riding on the ocean blue
To capture American treasure
From the Spanish sailing home
All glory now to the Devon boys
All glory to the crown

I was born on the water
For a life under sail
I’d rather ride the ocean
Than rot in some damp jail

When we came to Corvo island
'Twas not the Spanish that we found
But a fleet of Portuguese
For Lisbon homeward bound
We took aim at their flagship
And let our cannons roar
And after fighting all the day
We hauled ourselves aboard.

I was born on the water
For a life under sail
I’d rather ride the ocean
Than rot in some damp jail

Haul away, Haul Away
For the glory dear Devon
And Queen Bess
Haul away

So we quickly took control of the Madre de Dreu
Made fast and straight for the hold
The guards we ran them through
In that hold we found a treasure
Greater than any seen before
And we set our course for Dartmouth
Back home to Devon’s shore

I was born on the water
For a life under sail
I’d rather ride the ocean
Than rot in some damp jail

Haul away, haul away
Haul Away, Haul Away
For the glory of dear Devon
And Queen Bess
Haul away

So we sailed home to Dartmouth
Guided by the stars
As the news of our good fortune
Spread quickly, wide and far
And there the looters gathered
Much of the bounty left the town town
Before good Raleigh came
To claim the treasure for the crown

I was born out on the water
For a life spent under sail
I’d rather be pressed to the oceans wide
Than to rot in some damp jail

Well me I took my share
For it was just and fair
For surely the good Lord himself had answered all my prayers
Now they say this Carrack’s load
Could fill the Treasury Store
But all I that I know of certain
I'll sail the sea no more.

Well, now I’ve swapped the ocean
For my dear old River Dart
Whose gentle rolling waters
Are forever in my heart
And now these days you’ll find me
At my own my tavern by the shore
Raise a glass now to the Madre
For I’ll sail the seas no more.

I was born on the water
For a life under sail
I’d rather ride the ocean
Than to rot in some damp jail

Haul away, haul away
Haul Away, Haul Away
For the glory of dear Devon
And Queen Bess
Haul away