Song Help Request Chords and/or sheet music for Derry Down

There's a traditional 18th century folk tune that was used as the tune for hundreds of songs in the 18th and 19th century. The chorus is always, or almost always the same: "Derry down, down, down derry down." I am looking for the chords, tab, and/or sheet music for this tune. Anyone know where I might find them?

WKerrigan said:

There's a traditional 18th century folk tune that was used as the tune for hundreds of songs in the 18th and 19th century. The chorus is always, or almost always the same: "Derry down, down, down derry down." I am looking for the chords, tab, and/or sheet music for this tune. Anyone know where I might find them?

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I've got dozens of folk song books of various ages, unfortunately none of them index their songs by chorus ... I also recognise the chorus but can't, for the moment, associate it with any specific song.

If you can supply a few more clues, a first line or two if not actual titles, I'll have a check

Being immersed in trad. folk music for decades, the only one that springs to mind is a shanty "the Dreadnaught"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHPRgBg_WVU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M__xcCbmPqs

The first sung by Louis Killen and the 2nd by Ewan McColl.
The instruments on both are English concertina ( McColl's being accompanied by his wife, Peggy Seeger, Pete's sister)
Hope this helps.

THE DREADNAUGHT

lt's of a flash packet, a packet of fame,
She hails from New York and the Dreadnaught's her name.
'Cross the wild Western ocean, she's bound for to go.
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!
Derry down, down, down derry down.

Now the Dreadnaught is hauling out of Waterloo Doek
And the boys and the girls to the pierhead do flock.
They give us three cheers as their tears down do flow.
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!

Now the Dreadnaught is lying in the River Mersey,
'Waiting the Independence to tow her to sea
Out 'round the Rock Light where them salt tides do flow.
Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the westward we'll go!

Now the Dreadnaught's a-howling down the wild lrish Sea,
Her passengers merry and with their hearts full of glee.
Her sailors like lions walk the decks to and fro.
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go !

Now the Dreadnaught is sailing the Atlantic so wide,
Where the high roaring seas roll along her black side.
With her sails taughtly set for the Red Cross to show ,
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!

Now the Dreadnaught is crossing the Banks of Newfoundland.
Where the water's so green and the bottom's all sand.
The fishes of the ocean they swim to and fro,
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go!

And now she is lying off the Long Island Shore
Where the pilot will board us as he's oft done before.
Fill away your main topsail! Board your main tack also.
She's the Liverpool packet. Oh Lord, let her go !

And now we're arriving in old New York town.
We're bound for the Bowery and let sorrows drown.
With our gals and our beer, boys, oh let the song now.
And drink to the Dreadnaught where'er she may go!

Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and all her brave crew,
To bold Captain Samuels and his officers too.
You may talk of flash packets, Swallowtail and Black Ball,
But the Dreadnaught's the flyer that can outsail them all!

Yes! This is the tune! Any idea where I might find chords, uketabs or sheet music?

Dreadnaught

The Dreadnaught song posted above is the tune.

My understanding is the tune is early 18th century. In the 1790s, as American political parties were starting to form, a lot of political songs appeared in newspapers many to be sung to this tune. But perhaps my favorite one came earlier, and was penned by Ben Franklin. It was called "The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober"

The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brew’d no October;*
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinking,
For there can’t be good Living where there is not good Drinking.
Derry down.

’Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the drinking of Water decry’d;
For he knew that all Mankind, by drinking it, dy’d.
Derry down.

From this Piece of History plainly we find
That Water’s good neither for Body or Mind;
That Virtue and Safety in Wine-bibbing’s found
While all that drink Water deserve to be drown’d.
Derry down

So For Safety and Honesty put the Glass round.

*October was slang for hard cider or ale.

Thanks. It appears to be the tune of the Dreadnaught posted below.

the Dreadnaught chords

I found these online. I'll try them. Thanks!

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/spinners/the_dreadnaught_acoustic_crd.htm