 The song chronicles an engagement in the English Channel on 17 June 1778 between the "Arethusa" and the French frigate, "Belle Poule".It opens

When Sir Henry Wood wrote his "Fantasia on British Sea Songs" in 1905 a version of this song became the third movement.Contrary to popular belief, The Decemberists' song "Shanty for the Arethusa" has nothing to do with "The Saucy Arethusa" or the battle it describes, being apparently about a completely different trading vessel.