Heart of Oak

Melody - Dr. Boyce

David Garrick, 1759

Come cheer up, my lads,
'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more
To this wondertul year,
To honour we call you,
Not press you like slaves,
For who are so free
As the sons of the waves?

Chorus:
|: Heart of oak are our ships,
Jolly tars are our men,
We always are ready,
Steady, boys, steady,
We'll fight and we'll conquer
Again and again. :|
We ne'er see our foes
But we wish them to stay,
They never see us
But they wish us away,
If they run, why we follow,
And run them ashore,
And if they won't fight us,
We cannot do more.
Chorus:

They swear they'll invade us,
These terrible foes,
They frighten our women,
Our children and beaus,
But should their flat bottoms
In darkness get o'er,
Still Britons they'll find
To receive them on shore.
Chorus:

Our worthy forefathers,
Let's give them a cheer,
To climates unknown,
Did courageously steer.
Through oceans to deserts,
For freedom they came,
And dying, bequeathed us
Their freedom and fame.
Chorus: