The Saucy Arethusa
Encyclopedia
The Saucy Arethusa is a nautical song (Roud
# 12675) which, although usually considered 'traditional', was possibly written by 'Prince Hoare'http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncps:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABK2934-0069-88))::, a comic opera
librettist
, in around 1832.
The Arethusa of the title is a frigate
of the Royal Navy
, named HMS Arethusa
, which was captured from the French Navy
in 1759. According to Greek mythology
, the nymph
Arethusa
, for whom the ship was named, was transformed by Artemis
into a fountain.
It opens
When Sir Henry Wood
wrote his Fantasia on British Sea Songs
in 1905 a version of this song became the third movement.
This song and the story of the ship is also the basis of a song by The Decemberists
entitled "Shanty for the Arethusa".
Roud Folk Song Index
The Roud Folk Song Index is a database of 300,000 references to over 21,600 songs that have been collected from oral tradition in the English language from all over the world...
# 12675) which, although usually considered 'traditional', was possibly written by 'Prince Hoare'http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncps:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABK2934-0069-88))::, a comic opera
Comic opera
Comic opera denotes a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a new operatic genre, opera buffa, emerged as an alternative to opera seria...
librettist
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
, in around 1832.
The Arethusa of the title is a frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, named HMS Arethusa
HMS Arethusa (1759)
The Aréthuse was a French frigate, launched in 1757 during the Seven Years' War. She was subsequently captured by the Royal Navy and became the fifth-rate HMS Arethusa.Aréthuse was built at Le Havre for privateer warfare, as Pélerine...
, which was captured from the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
in 1759. According to Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, the nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
Arethusa
Arethusa (mythology)
For other uses, see ArethusaArethusa means "the waterer". In Greek mythology, she was a nymph and daughter of Nereus , and later became a fountain on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily....
, for whom the ship was named, was transformed by Artemis
Artemis
Artemis was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. Her Roman equivalent is Diana. Some scholars believe that the name and indeed the goddess herself was originally pre-Greek. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals"...
into a fountain.
It opens
- Come all ye jolly sailors bold
- Whose hearts are cast in honour's mould
- While English glory I unfold
- Hurrah for the Arethusa
- She is a frigate tight and brave
- As ever stemmed the dashing wave
- Her men are staunch to their favorite launch
- And when the foe shall meet our fire
- Sooner than strike we'll all expire
- On board of the Arethusa
- Twas with the spring fleet she went out
- The English Channel to cruise about
- When four French sail in show so stout
- Bore down on the Arethusa
When Sir Henry Wood
Henry Wood (conductor)
Sir Henry Joseph Wood, CH was an English conductor best known for his association with London's annual series of promenade concerts, known as the Proms. He conducted them for nearly half a century, introducing hundreds of new works to British audiences...
wrote his Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Fantasia on British Sea Songs or Fantasy on British Sea Songs is a piece of classical music arranged by Sir Henry Wood in 1905 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is a medley of British sea songs and for many years was seen as an indispensable item at the BBC's Last Night of the...
in 1905 a version of this song became the third movement.
This song and the story of the ship is also the basis of a song by The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
entitled "Shanty for the Arethusa".