The George Aloe and the Sweepstake

"The George Aloe and the Sweepstake" (Roud 6739, Child 285) is a traditional folk song.

In 1595, a ballad was entered into the Stationers' Register with the note that it was to be sung to the tune of The George Aloe and the Sweepstake.

[2] Several variations of the ballad exist.The George Aloe and the Sweepstake were merchant ships bound for Safee.

The George Aloe received the news, followed, exchanged the same hails, and defeated the ship.

[2] The American variant The Coast of High Barbaree includes only one ship, which exchanges hails with a Barbary pirate and defeats it, as the George Aloe does with the French ship.