From ''Calliope: or, the musical miscellany'', pp184-5, 1788. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''BRITISH GRENADIERS.'''
Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules, of Conan, and Lysander, and some Miltiades; but of all the world's brave heroes there's none that can compare, With a tow, row, row, row, row, to the British Grenadiers. But of all the world's brave heroes, there's none that can compare, With a tow, row, row, row, row, to the Brisish Grenadiers.
None of those ancient heroes e'er saw a cannon ball, Or knew the force of powder to slay their foes withal; But our brace boys do know it, and banish all their fears, With a tow, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers. But our brave boys, &c.
Whene'er we are commanded to storm the Palisades, Our leaders march with fusees, and we with hand grandades, We throw them from the glacis about our enemies ears, With a tow, row, row, row, row, the Brisith Grenadiers. We throw them, &c.
The god of war was pleased, and great Bellona smiles, To see these noble heroes, of our British Iles; And all the gods celestial, descended from their spheres, Beheld with admiration the British Grenadiers. And all the gods celestial, &c.
Then let us crown a bumper, and drink a health to those Who carry caps and pouches that wear the looped clothes. May they and their commanders, live happy all their years, With a tow, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers. May they and their commanders, &c.
From ''The musical repository'', pp244-5, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''THE DISCONSOLATE SAILOR.'''
When my money was gone, that I gain'd in the wars, And the world 'gan to frown on my fate, What matter'd my zeal, or my honoured fears, When indifference stood at each gate.
The face that would smile when my purse was well lin'd, Shew'd a different aspect to me; And when I could nought but ingratitude find, I hied once again to the sea.
I thought it unwise to repine at my lot, Or to bear with cold looks on the shore, So I pack'd up the trifling remnants I'd got, And a trifle, alas! was my store.
A handkerchief held all the treasure I had, Which over my shoulder I threw, Away then I trudg'd, with a heart rather sad, To join with some jolly ship's crew.
The sea was less troubled by far than my mind, For when the wide main I survey'd, I could not help thinking the world was unkind, And Fortune a slippery jade:
And vow'd, if once more I could take her in tow, I'd let the ungrateful ones see, That the turbulent winds and the billows could show More kindness than they did to me.
From ''The musical repository'', pp150-2, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''FAIR SALLY.'''
Fair Sally lov'd a bonny seaman, With tears she sent him out to roam, Young Thomas lov'd no other woman, But left his heart with her at home. She view's the sea from off the hill, And while she turn'd the spinning wheel, Sung of her bonny seaman.
The winds blew loud, and she grew paler, To see the weather-cock turn round, When lo! she spied her bonny sailor Come singing o'er the fallow ground: With nimble haste he leap'd the style, And Sally met him with a smile, And hugg'd her bonny sailor.
Fast round the waste he took he Sally, But first around his mouth wip'd he, Like home-bred spark he could not dally, But kiss'd and press'd her with a glee: Thro' winds and waves and dashing rain, Cry'd he, thy Tom's returned again, And brings a heart for Sally.
Welcome! she cried, my constant Thomas, Tho' out of sight, ne'er out of mind; Our hearts tho' seas have parted from us, Yet they my thoughts did leave behind: So much my thoughts took Tommy's part, That time nor absence from my heart Could drive my constant Thomas.
This knife, the gift of lovely Sally, I still have kept for her dear sake; A thousand times, in am'rous folly, Thy name I've carv'd upon the deck. Again this happy pledge returns, To tell how truly Thomas burns, How truly burns for Sally.
This thimble didst thou give to Sally, Whilst this I see I think of you; Then why does Tom stand shilly shally, While yonder steeple's in our view? Tom, never to occasion blind, Now took her in the coming mind, And went to church with Sally.
From ''Songs, hymns, and psalms'' by Jonas Hanway, p24, 1783. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''''Hearts of Oak'''''
Come cheer up my Lads 'tis to Glory we stear, To add something more to this wonderfull Year; To Honour we call you not press you like Slaves, For who are so free as we Sons of the Waves: Heart of Oak are our Ships, Heart of Oak are our Men, We always are ready Steady Boys steady We'll Fight and we'll Triumph 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 on shore, For if they won't fight us, we cannot do more. Heart of oak, &c.
They swear they'll invade us--these terrible foes! They frighten our women, our children, and beaus; But should they flat-bottoms in darkness get o'er, Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore. Heart of oak, &c.
We'll still make them run, and we'll still make them sweat, In spite of the Devil and Brussels Gazette; Then cheer up, my lads, with one heart let us sing, Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, and king. Heart of oak, &c.
From ''The musical repository'', pp60-2, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''LASH'D TO THE HELM.'''
In storms, when clouds obsure the sky, And thunders roll and lightnings fly, In midst of all these dire alarms, I think, my Sally, on thy charms. The troubled main, The wind and rain, My ardent passion prove Lash'd to the helm, Shou'd seas o'erwhelm, I'd think on thee, my love, I'd think on thee, my love, I'd think on thee, my love, Lash'd to the helm, Shou'd seas o'erwhelm, I'd think on thee my love.
When rocks appear on ev'ry side, And art is vain the ship to guide, In varied shapes when death appears, The thoughts of thee my bosom cheers: The troubled main, The wind and rain, My ardent passion prove; Lash'd to the helm, Shou'd seas o'erwhelm, I'd think on thee my love.
But shou'd the gracious pow'rs be kind, Dispel the gloom and still the wind, And waft me to thy arms once more, Safe to my long-lost native shore; No more the main I'd tempt again, But tender joys improve I then with thee Shou'd happy be, And think on nought but love.
From ''The musical repository'', pp220-2, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''LITTLE THINKS THE TOWNSMAN'S WIFE.'''
Little thinks the towns-mans wife, While at home she tarries, What must be the lassie's life, Who a soldier marries; Now with weary marching spent, Dancing now before the tent; Lira lira la, lira lira la, With her jolly soldier.
In the camp at night she lies, Wind and weather scorning, Only griev'd her love must rise, And quit her in the morning: But the doubtful skirmish done, Blyth she sings at set of sun, Lira lira la, lira lira la, With her jolly soldier.
Should the captain of her dear Use his vain endeavour, Whisp'ring nonsense in her ear, Two fond hearts to sever; At his passion she will scoff; Laughing she will put him off, Lira lira la, lira lira la, For her jolly soldier.
From ''The musical repository'', pp24-7, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''ON ADMIRAL DUNCAN'S VICTORY.'''
Enroll'd in our bright annals lives full many a gallant name, But never British heart conceiv'd a prouder deed of fame, But never British heart conceiv'd, But never British heart conceiv'd a prouder deed of fame, A prouder deed of fame. To shiedl our liberties and laws, to guard our sov'reign's crown, Than noble Duncan's mighty arm atchiev'd off Camperdown. To shield our liberties and laws, to guard our sov'reign's crown, Immortal be the glorious deed atchiev'd off Camperdown.
October the eleventh it was, he spied the Dutch at nine, The British signal flew to break their close embattled line; Their line was broke, for all our tars, on that auspicious day, All bitter memory of the past had vow to wipe away. Their line was broke, &c.
At three o'clock nine mighty ships had struck their colour proud, And two brave admirals at his feet their vanquished flags had bow'd; Our Duncan's towering colours stream'd all honour to the last, For, in the battle's fiercest rage, he nail'd them to the mast. Our Duncan's towering colours, &c.
The victory was now complete; the cannon ceas'd to roar; The scatter'd remnants of the foe slunk to their native shore; No power the pride of conquest had his heart to lead astray, He summon'd his triumphant crew, and this was heard to say
CHORUS.
"Let every man now bend the knee, and here in solemn prayer "Give thanks to God, who in this fight has made our cause his care."
Then on the deck, the noble field of that proud day's renown Brave Duncan with his crew devout before their God knelt down, And humbly bless'd his Providence, and hail'd his guardian power, Who valour, strength, and skill inspir'd in that dread battle hour. And humbly bless'd; &c.
The captive Dutch this solemn scene survey'd with silent awe, And rue'd the day when Holland join'd to France's impious law, And marked how virtue, courage, faith, unite to form this land, For victory, for fame and power, just rule, and high command, And marked, &c.
The Venerable was the ship that bore his flag to fame, Our veteran hero well becomes his gallant vessel'd name; Behold his locks! they speak the toil of many a stormy day; For fifty years and more, my boys, his fighting been his way.
GRAND CHORUS.
Behold his locks! they speak the toil of many a stormy day, For fifty years and more, my boys, has fighting been his way; The Veneralble was the ship that bore his flag to fame, And venerable ever be our vet'ran Duncan's name!
From ''The musical repository'', pp10-2, 1799. :: listen to the tune (midi file)
'''THE WOUNDED HUSSAR.'''
Alone to the banks of the dark rolling Danube, Fair Adelaid hied when the battle was o'er; O whither, she cried, hast thou wander'd, my lover, Or here dost thou welter and bleed on the shore? What voice did I hear! 'twas my Henry that sigh'd, All mournful she hasten'd, nor wander'd afar, When bleeding alone on the heath she descried, By the light of the moon, her poor wounded hussar.
From his bosom that heav'd, the last torrent was streaming, And pale was his visage, deep mark'd with a scar, And dim was that eye, once expressively beaming, That melted in love, and that kindled in war; How smit was poor Adelaid's heart at the sight! How bitter she wept o'er the victim of war! "Hast thou come, my fond love, this last sorrowful night, To cheer the lone heart of your wounded hussar."
"Thou shalt live!" she replied, "heaven's mercy relieving, Each anguishing wound shall forbid me to mourn;" "Ah! no, the last pang in my bosom is heaving, No light of the morn shall to Henry return; Thou charmer of life, ever tender and true, Ye babes of my love, that await me afar--" His falt'ring tongue scarcely murmur'd adieu, When he sunk in her arms, the poor wounded hussar.