O’er your grave!
While the billow mournful rolls
And the mermaid’s song condoles,
Singing--glory to the souls
Of the brave.
_ACTION OFF COPENHAGEN._
You undaunted sons of Britannia, lend an ear,
A story concerning a fight you shall hear.
It was on March the 12th, my boys, our fleet did sail
Out of Yarmouth with a sweet and pleasant gale.
Our Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Parker by name,
And Vice-Admiral Nelson, that man of great fame,
And Rear-Admiral Graves which drew up the rear,
While so boldly for Elsenore Castle we steer’d.
On the 13th we so boldly pass’d Elsenore by,
While so many thousand shot and shells they did fly;
Then straight for Copenhagen our fleet they did steer,
And we anchor’d abreast of the town without fear.
On the second of April it was the glorious day
When bold Nelson’s division they got under weigh--
Each ship set for action, each man to his gun,
Resolv’d so boldly we was for to run.
It was into the roads where the Danish flag did fly,
Determin’d alongside of their fleet for to lie;
Said we will make them to strike, my boys, or else we’ll send them
down,
There for to storm and set fire to their town.
The first was the _Edgar_, she did lead the van,
At eleven o’clock the heavy fire began,
The _Ardent_ and _Glatton_, the rest did the same,
The _Defiance_ and _Monarch_ behaved with great fame.
Then in came Lord Nelson, in the _Elephant_;
Next _Bellona_ and _Ganges_, so boldly they went;
The bold _Polyphemus_ run in the same way,
And the brave little _Isis_ her part she did play.
The _Amazon_, the _Hermione_, the _Desirée_ and _Blanch_,
They anchor’d in the line and behav’d so staunch;
The _Otter_ and the _Dart_ they anchor’d also,
Until by a signal was forc’d for to go.
Now these four frigates that we have mentioned here,
And two little sloops that run in without fear,
They all run and anchor’d alongside the fleet,
Their forts the same time they began to defeat.
But so great was their mistake, at about four o’clock
They found they could no longer stand our shot;
For their batteries we clear’d, my boys, which was our own desire
And the town in three places our bombs set on fire.
Seven of their two-deckers to us they did strike,
And six floating batteries likewise did the like.
‘Well done, my brave boys!’ said Lord Nelson; ‘that’s right,
For your courage and mine you have displayed in this fight.’
So now, my brave boys, let it never be said
That ever Lord Nelson or Graves was afraid.
Success to our officers throughout the whole fleet,
That encouraged the Britons the Danes to defeat.
So now [to conclude and to finish my log],
Call up the steward to serve out the grog.
Here’s a health to our wives and sweethearts at home,
For they’ll give us a glass when to England we come.
_A NEW SONG ON LORD NELSON’S VICTORY AT COPENHAGEN._
Draw near, ye gallant seamen, while I the truth unfold
Of as gallant a naval victory as ever yet was told.
The second day of April last, upon the Baltic main,
Parker, Nelson, and their brave tars fresh laurels there did gain.
_With their thundering and roaring, rattling and roaring,
Thundering and roaring bombs._
Gallant Nelson volunteer’d himself, with twelve sail form’d a line,
And in the Road of Copenhagen he began his grand design;
His tars, with usual courage, their valour did display,
And destroy’d the Danish navy upon that glorious day.
_With their, etc._
With strong floating batteries in van and rear we find,
The enemy in centre had six ships of the line--
At ten that glorious morning the fight begun, it’s true;
We Copenhagen set on fire, my boys, before the clock struck two.
_With their, etc._
When this armament we had destroy’d, we anchor’d near the town,
And with our bombs were fully bent to burn their city down;
Revenge for poor Matilda’s wrongs our seamen swore they’d have;
But they sent a flag of truce on board, their city for to save.
_With their, etc._
For the loss of his eye and arm, bold Nelson does declare,
The foes of his country not an inch of them he’ll spare;
The Danes he’s made to rue the day that they ever Paul did join,
Eight ships he burnt, four he sunk, and took six of the line.
_With their, etc._
Now drink a health to gallant Nelson, the wonder of the world,
Who, in defence of his country, his thunder loud has hurled;
And to his bold and valiant tars who plough the raging sea,
And who never were afraid to face the daring enemy.
_With their, etc._
_A NEW SONG COMPOSED BY THE WOUNDED TARS AT THE SIEGE OF BOULOGNE._
On the second day of August, eighteen hundred and one,
We sailed with Lord Nelson to the port of Boulogne,
For to cut out their shipping, which was all in vain--
To our great misfortune, they were all moored with chain.
Our boats being well manned, by eleven at night,
To cut out their shipping, not expecting they would fight;
But the grape from their batteries so smartly did play,
Nine hundred brave seamen killed and wounded did lay.
We hoisted our colours, and boldly them spread,
With the British flag flying at the royal mast-head;
For the honour of England we will always maintain,
While bold British seamen plough the watery main.
Exposed to the fire of the enemy we lay,
While ninety bright pieces of cannon did play;
There many brave seamen then lay in their gore,
And the shot from their batteries most smartly did pour.
Our noble commander, with his heart full of grief,
Used every endeavour to afford us relief;
No ship could assist us, as well he did know,
In this wounded condition we were toss’d to and fro.
All you who relieve us, the Lord you will bless
For relieving poor seamen in times of distress;
May the Lord put an end to all cruel wars,
Send peace and contentment to all British tars.
_FRANCE COVER’D WITH GLORY, BEING A FAITHFUL NARRATIVE TAKEN FROM THE
REPORT OF THE GALLANT ADMIRAL LINOIS._
Good people all, I pray attend a most surprising story:
’Tis of an action on the main, that cover’d France with glory.
’Twas on the ninth day of July, from Cadiz post away
Six sail o’ th’ line, and frigates three, to Algesiras Bay.
For, kept by th’ English in blockade, the mighty Linois lay,
With five large ships, a frigate too, in Algesiras Bay.
These to relieve Moreno came, not to engage in fight,
But to the port of Cadiz straight with them combine in flight.
A fresh east wind rose on the twelfth--the French and Spaniards go,
For Cadiz swift they sail, and take the _Hannibal_ in tow.
Now this same eastward gale, alas! brought on the English fleet,
Who seem to wish for nothing more than enemies to meet.
Five sail o’ th’ line the English had, a frigate and a brig--
They came as if they did not care for France and Spain a fig.
The night came on, and France and Spain were very much in fear,
As stronger grew the eastern breeze, more English might appear.
Hence they were puzzled what to do--that is, which way to fly--
For what, indeed, are France and Spain when British tars are nigh!
At length th’ allies heard cannon three, and fires saw far behind--
They thought them English signals, so they push’d before the wind.
Then they congratulate themselves that they were got together,
And that they sail’d so very well beyond Old England’s tether.
A conflagration soon they saw burst through the dark of night,
Which seem’d to be their ships on fire--Oh! then how great their
fright!
Such their first thoughts; but soon they fear’d ’twas fire-ships of
the foe:
That was enough to urge their speed, and wondrous fast they go.
No longer there could be a doubt, the foe has pass’d the Strait;
Nay, they had reach’d the Gallic wake--there was no time to wait.
The French at their maintop-mast-head had put the light to rally;
But pull’d it down when th’ English came, lest they too near might
sally.
For well the wary Frenchmen knew, if they hold forth a light,
It must have led the English on, to force them into fight.
The night the French in anguish pass’d, because it did not show
Whether some ships that were in sight were enemies or no.
At length the day dispers’d their fears--a day it was most sweet;
For why?--the French soon found themselves in midst of their own
fleet.
At five o’clock they heard a sound that did denote a fray,
Which made the Frenchmen all rejoice they were so far away.
The wind about eleven rose--four vessels came in view:
They thought them friends, but found them foes, and then again they
flew.
The _Formidable_ then they saw driving before the wind,
As if she said, ‘The Devil take all those that are behind.’
At length the French with rapture found they need not fret and chafe,
The foe they had escap’d and then anchor’d in Cadiz safe.
And now to all our naval lads may Heav’n still give a blessing--
And if defeat with glory clads, may France ne’er want a dressing!
_LA LOIRE FRIGATE, OR YEO! YEO!_
Written by Mr. C. Dibdin, Jun., composed by Mr. Reeve, and sung by Mr.
Slader at Sadler’s Wells.
Off Cape Finisterre lay the king’s ship _La Loire_,
When a privateer foe Captain Maitland he saw.
So a boat’s crew he sent with Spaniard to cope,
Who was call’d _L’Esperance_, in plain English the _Hope_,
Tho’ but a forlorn hope she prov’d for the foe,
Made a prize by the boat’s crew and Lieutenant Yeo.
_Sing Yeo! Yeo! for ever! Yeo! Yeo! for ever!
Pull away, pull away, pull pull away,
With a hearty Yeo! Yeo! with a hearty Yeo! Yeo!_
‘’Tis the birth of your king, boys,’ the captain he cried,
‘To crown it with victory then be your pride;
Yes, the birth of your sovereign distinguish, in short,
By planting his flag on yon proud Spanish fort.’
So the gallant boat’s crew volunteer’d all to go,
To conquer or die with brave Lieutenant Yeo.
_Sing Yeo! Yeo! for ever, etc._
Then Lieutenant Yeo, to his lasting renown,
The fort he knock’d up and the Governor down.
The Dons’ captur’d ensign wav’d over his head,
And planted the flag of King George in its stead.
Let the trumpet of fame then through all the world blow,
To the glory of Britons and Lieutenant Yeo.
_Sing Yeo! Yeo! for ever, etc._
_NELSON’S GLORIOUS VICTORY AT TRAFALGAR._
Arise, arise, brave Britons!
Perform your loudest lays,
And join me in a chorus
To sing Britannia’s praise.
Once more the hero of the Nile
Did seek to make Britannia smile
With another victory on the file--
O brave Nelson!
October, on the twenty-first,
It being a glorious day,
The combined fleets of France and Spain
Were just off Cadiz Bay;
Their ships in number thirty-three--
And Nelson, when he did them see,
Said, ‘Twenty then there is for me.’
O brave Nelson!
The signal made for fighting,
Cannon began to roar;
Our ships in number twenty-seven,
We shook the Spanish shore;
And Nelson, on the deck so high,
Aloud unto his men did cry,
‘We’ll conquer them, my lads, or die.’
O brave Nelson!
He broke their line of battle,
And struck the fatal blow;
He blew some up into the air,
And some he sent below.
But then, with victory on his side,
A fatal ball his life destroyed,
He in the midst of glory died.
O brave Nelson!
When the hero brave was dying,
And with his parting breath,
He pray’d for England’s glory
Till the moment of his death.
‘Farewell, my lads! My glass is run,
This day must be my setting sun;
But, Providence, thy will be done.’
O brave Nelson!
The battle being over,
Which was a bloody fray,
We twenty of their finest ships
From them did take away.
Now, Bonaparte! boast no more
To land upon our native shore,
Lest you in pieces should be tore,
Through brave Nelson.
May Collingwood’s and Hardy’s
Like Nelson’s fame resound,
And all our force by land and sea
With good success be crowned;
May Britain’s trade and wealth increase,
And wars and tumults ever cease,
And may we have a lasting peace,
Through brave Nelson.
_A NEW SONG COMPOSED ON THE DEATH OF LORD NELSON._
Come all you gallant seamen that unite a meeting,
Attend to these lines I am going to relate,
And when you’ve heard them ’twill move you with pity,
To hear how Lord Nelson he met with his fate;
For he was a bold and undaunted commander,
As ever did sail on the ocean so wide,
He made both the French and the Spaniards surrender,
By pouring always into them a broadside.
_Mourn, England, mourn, mourn and complain,
For the loss of Lord Nelson who died on the main._
One hundred engagements he had been in, sir,
And ne’er in his life was he known to be beat,
Tho’ he’d lost an arm, likewise a right eye, sir,
No power on earth ever could him defeat.
His age at his death it was forty and seven,
And as long as I breathe his great praises I’ll sing,
For the whole navigation to him was given,
Because he was loyal and true to his king.
_Mourn, England, mourn, etc._
Like an undaunted hero, exposed to the fire,
He gave his command, on the quarter-deck stood,
To hear of his actions you would much admire,
To see the decks covered all with human blood.
From aloft to below where he was commanding,
All by a French gun he received a ball,
And by the contents he got mortally wounded,
And that was the cause of Lord Nelson’s fall.
_Mourn, England, mourn, etc._
Then up steps the doctor in a very great hurry,
And unto Lord Nelson these words he did say,
‘Indeed then, my lord, I am very sorry
To see you here lying and bleeding this way.’
‘No matter, no matter whatever about me,
My time it has come--I am almost at the worst,
But there’s my gallant seamen fighting so boldly,
Discharge of your duty unto them all first.’
_Mourn, England, mourn, etc._
Then with a loud voice he called out to his captain,
‘Pray let me, sir, know how the battle does go,
For I think our great guns continue to rattle,
Though death is approaching I firmly do know.’
‘The antagonist’s ship is gone to the bottom,
Eighteen we have captur’d and brought them on board,
Four more we have blown clean out of the ocean,
And this is the news I have brought you, my lord.’
_Mourn, England, mourn, etc._
Come all you gallant seamen that unite in a meeting,
Always let Lord Nelson’s memory go round,
For it is your duty when you unite in a meeting,
Because he was loyal and true to the crown.
So now to conclude, and to finish these verses,
Here’s God bless all seamen that speak for his good,
May the heavens go with you, and ten thousand blessings
Still rest on the fleet and brave Collingwood.
_Mourn, England, mourn, etc._
_ADMIRAL STRACHAN’S VICTORY._
Tune--_Hearts of Oak_.
Though with tears we lament our great Nelson’s demise,
Let the nation rejoice that more Nelsons arise;
’Twas Collingwood finish’d what the hero began,
And brave was the conquest accomplished by Strachan.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
The fourth of November, long famous in story,
This year adds a ray to our national glory;
For like Cæsar of old, _our_ Cæsar might say,
He came, saw, and conquer’d in the enemy’s bay.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
The _Phœnix_ transform’d, like a bird to decoy,
Led the foe where she knew they would soon find employ;
Only three days before, she had quitted her nest,
To add a fresh _Didon_ to her valorous crest.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
Her consort _Margarita_, though first in the chase,
Both at once pour’d their broadsides full butt in their face;
The _Cæsar_, the _Hero_, and brave _Courageux_,
With cannon and grape shot, soon buckled them to.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
To bind the knot firmer, _Namur_ had her share,
By Æolus favor’d, and _Revolutionnaire_;
Though brave their resistance, they fought in vain,
For they seem’d, when they struck, mere wrecks on the main.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
Safe moor’d at Plymouth, no more shall they wander,
And fit for the line of a British commander;
Then France, Spain, and Holland shall threaten in vain,
While our tars fight and conquer again and again.
_Hearts of oak, etc._
_NEW SONG ON THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE AMETHYST AND THETIS, ENGLISH
AND FRENCH FRIGATES._
(1808)
Come, all you valiant heroes that sail upon the sea,
Awhile give your attention to what I sing to thee:
’Tis of a famous battle that was fought upon the main,
Where our brave British sailors fresh laurels they did gain,
Between the _Amethyst_ frigate--thirty-six guns had she,
And as brave a crew, my boys, as ever sail’d the sea--
And the _Thetis_, French frigate of fifty guns; I do declare,
Such a hard engagement has not been known for many a year.
At seven in the evening the battle it begun,
And lasted many hours before that it was done.
Great numbers there was wounded, a many too was slain,
While the blood from off the decks did change the watery main.
Three hours and twenty minutes we held this dreadful fray,
We lasht her fast unto us, she could not get away;
Many times they tried to board us, but we drove them back so fast--
Altho’ they was so numerous, we made them yield at last.
Then down she haul’d her colours, no longer could she fight;
Our British tars they gave three cheers all at this noble sight.
We took possession of her without any more delay,
And sent her into Plymouth Sound then, my boys, straightway.
Great store of artillery, ammunition too likewise,
One thousand barrels of flour to our tars became a prize.
She was bound out to Martinico, the truth I do declare,
But in the night we met her and stopped her career.
So now to conclude and to finish my song,
Success to our noble tars that to the seas belong.
Here is a health to Captain Seymour and all his valiant men!
Whene’er they meet their enemies may they serve them so again.
_A NEW SONG ON THE SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OF DESTROYING THE FRENCH FLEET IN
BASQUE ROADS ON THE 11th APRIL 1809._
Come, all you valiant Britons of every degree,
Attend a few minutes, and listen unto me
Concerning our brave sailors that sailed on the main,
With courage so bold fresh laurels they did gain.
_Success to our sailors that sail on the sea,
Who with Cockrane undaunted, whenever they’ve wanted,
They’ll fight till they die, or gain the victory._
It was in Basque Roads the fleet they did lay,
At the sight of our shipping fill’d them with dismay,
They skulk’d near the shore like cowardly curs,
And dare not come out to face our brave British tars
_So success, etc._
In the month of April, mind what I say,
We resolv’d to try this fleet to destroy:
We gave them three cheers before we set to,
And galled them so sorely we made them cry ‘Morbleu!’
_So success, etc._
We poured in our shot and our rockets like hail,
Till at length that their courage began for to fail.
Some were taken and destroy’d, and some got on shore,
The rest run up the harbour and would fight no more,
_So success, etc._
This fleet from Brest Harbour some time ago got clear,
And our brave British heroes soon after them did steer:
We chas’d them to Basque Roads without fear or doubt,
Tho’ so great was their number they dare not come out.
_So success, etc._
So now, Master Boneyparte, cease for to brag,
Till you build some more ships for to hoist your white flag
Which so often has been beat by the lords of the main;
And if they dare face them they’ll serve them so again.
_So success, etc._
_A COPY OF VERSES ON JEFFERYS THE SEAMAN._
You captains and commanders both by land and sea,
O do not be hard-hearted, refrain from cruelty;
It is of Jefferys the seaman, who, though not cast away,
Was left upon a dismal rock, by his captain they say.
CHORUS. _Think of Jefferys the seaman’s hard fate._
For eight days and nights he in misery did remain,
Without any food or nourishment himself for to sustain;
Dejected, in a wretched state, his fate he did deplore,
For some good Christian to convey him to his native shore.
At length kind Providence gave ear unto his mournful strain:
An American vessel to his assistance came;
John Dennis’s humanity soon set him free,
And very soon released him from his captivity.
It really is surprising he could so cruel be
Unto his fellow creature, lost to humanity
And any Christian feeling; that such corrections there be,
It is a pity such should have a command, either by land or sea.
But now he is arrived unto Old England’s shore,
And I think he is very much to blame to go to sea any more.
The gentry pity his fate as his suffering he explores,
He is glad to have the happy sight of his native land once more.
His mother, in amazement, almost distracted run
When she view’d the situation of her dear only son.
Quite meagre and almost starving, with hunger and fatigue,
This sight it caused his aged mother’s heart then for to bleed.
_YE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND._
Ye Parliament of England, you Lords and Commons too,
Consider well what you’re about, and what you’re going to do;
You’re now to fight with Yankees, I’m sure you’ll rue the day
You roused the sons of liberty in North America.
You first confined our commerce, and said our ships sha’n’t trade;
You next impressed our seamen, and used them as your slaves;
You then insulted Rogers while ploughing o’er the main,
And had not we declared war you’d have done it o’er again.
You thought our frigates were but few and Yankees could not fight,
Until brave Hull your _Guerrière_ took and banished her from your
sight.
The _Wasp_ then took your _Frolic_, we’ll nothing say to that--
The _Poictiers_ being of the line, of course she took her back.
The next, your _Macedonian_, no finer ship could swim,
Decatur took her gilt-work off, and then he sent her in.
The _Java_ by a Yankee ship was sunk, you all must know;
The _Peacock_ fine, in all her plume, by Lawrence down did go.
Then next you sent your _Boxer_ to box us all about,
But we had an _Enterprising_ brig that beat your _Boxer_ out;
We boxed her up to Portland and moored her off the town,
To show the sons of liberty the _Boxer_ of renown.
The next upon Lake Erie, where Perry had some fun,
You own he beat your naval force, and caused them for to run;
This was to you a sore defeat, the like ne’er known before--
Your British squadron beat complete--some took, some run ashore.
There’s Rogers, in the _President_, will burn, sink and destroy;
The _Congress_, on the Brazil coast, your commerce will annoy;
The _Essex_, in the South Seas, will put out all your lights,
The flag she waves at her mast-head--‘Free Trade and Sailors’
Rights.’
Lament, ye sons of Britain, far distant is the day
When you’ll regain by British force what you’ve lost in America;
Go tell your King and Parliament, by all the world ’tis known
That British force by sea and land by Yankees is o’erthrown.
Use every endeavour, and strive to make a peace,
For Yankee ships are building fast, their navy to increase;
They will enforce their commerce, the laws by heaven are made
That Yankee ships in time of peace to any port may trade.
_THE CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIÈRE._
Air--_The Landlady of France_.
It oft-times has been told
That the British seamen bold
Could flog the tars of France
So neat and handy, O!
But they never met their match
Till the Yankees did them catch,--
Oh! the Yankee boy for fighting
Is the dandy, O!
The _Guerrière_, a frigate bold,
On the foaming ocean roll’d,
Commanded by proud Dacres,
All the grandee, O!
With as choice a British crew
As a rammer ever drew,--
They could flog the French men, two to one
So handy, O!
When this frigate bore in view,
Says proud Dacres to his crew:
‘Come! clear the ship for action
And be handy, O!
To the weather-gage, boys, get her!’--
And to make his men fight better
Gave them gunpowder to drink
Mixed with brandy, O!
Then Dacres loudly cries,
‘Make this Yankee ship your prize,--
You can in thirty minutes,
Neat and handy, O!
Twenty-five’s enough, I’m sure;
And if you do it in a score
I’ll treat you to a double share
Of brandy, O!’
The British shot flew hot,
Which the Yankee answered not
Till they got within the distance
They call handy, O!
Now says Hull unto his crew:
‘Boys, let’s see what we can do!--
If we take this boasting Briton
We’re the dandy, O!’
The first broadside we poured,
Came her mainmast by the board,
Which made this lofty frigate
Look abandoned, O’!
Then Dacres shook his head,
And to his officers he said,
‘Lord--I didn’t think these Yankees
Were so handy, O!’
Our second told so well
That their fore and mizen fell,
Which doused the royal ensign
Neat and handy, O!
‘By George!’ says he, ‘we’re done!’--
And then fired a lee gun,
While the Yankees struck up
‘Yankee doodle dandy, O!’
Then Dacres came on board
To deliver up his sword,
Loth was he to part with it,
’Twas so handy, O!
‘Oh! keep your sword,’ says Hull,
‘For it only makes you dull;
Cheer up,--and take a little drink
Of brandy, O!’
Come! fill your glasses full!
And we’ll drink ‘To Captain Hull,’
And so merrily we’ll push about
The brandy, O!
John Bull may toast his fill!
But let the world say what it will,
The Yankee boy for fighting
Is the dandy, O!
_SHANNON AND CHESAPEAKE._