Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind; They tell thee sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find; Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so, The boatswain gave the dreadful word, They kiss'd, she sigh'd, he hung his head: HEARTS OF OAK. DAVID GARRICK, born 1716, died 1779. The music by DR. ARNE. COME, cheer up, my lads! 'tis to glory we steer, To add something more to this wonderful year: To honour we call you, not press you like slaves; For who are so free as the sons of the waves? Hearts of oak are our ships, Gallant tars are our men; We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again. We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay; They swear they'll invade us, these terrible foes! Britannia triumphant, her ships sweep the sea; M His sword was in its sheath, Weigh the vessel up, Once dreaded by our foes! The tear that England owes. Her timbers yet are sound, And she may float again, Full charg'd with England's thunder, And plough the distant main. But Kempenfelt is gone, His victories are o'er; And he and his eight hundred Shall plough the waves no more. This song is usually sung to the air of Handell's "March in Scipio." THE STORM. GEORGE ALEXANDER STEVENS, died 1784. (Often attributed to FALCONEE, the author "The Shipwreck.") CEASE, rude Boreas, blust'ring railer! List, ye landsmen, all to me; Sing the dangers of the sea; From bounding billows, first in motion, Where the seas contend with skies. Hark! the boatswain hoarsely bawling, 66 "By topsail-sheets and haulyards stand! Down your stay-sails, hand, boys, hand! Quick the top-sail-sheets let go: Now all you on down-beds sporting, "The top-sail-yard point to the wind, boys; Now the dreadful thunder's roaring, All above us one black sky; Different deaths at once surround us: "The foremast's gone!" cries ev'ry tongue out, Come, my hearts, be stout and bold; Plumb the well-the leak increases,Four feet water in the hold!" While o'er the ship wild waves are beating, Still the leak is gaining on us! Both chain-pumps are chok'd below: Heaven have mercy here upon us! For only that can save us now. O'er the lee-beam is the land, boys ; The leak we've found it cannot pour fast; Up and rig a jury fore-mast: She rights! she rights, boys! we're off shore. Another stanza to this song appears in some collections; but we omit it, as not necessary to the completion of the story, and as quite unworthy of the sentiment which pervades the rest of the piece. According to some versions, the last line should read, "She rights! she rights, boys! wear off shore." The original air of "The Storm" is "Welcome, brother debtor," to be found in "Calliope," collection of songs, 1730. The ballad of "Admiral Hosier's Ghost," is also sung to the same tune. COME, BUSTLE, BUSTLE. From the "Convivial Songster," 1782. COME, bustle, bustle, drink about, Our can is full, we'll see it out, And then all hands to sea. And a sailing we will go, will go, Fine miss at dancing school is taught But we go better when we've brought And a sailing, &c. The jockey's call'd to horse, to horse, When horns and shouts the forest rend, The pack the huntsmen cheer, A broadside to Mounseer. And a sailing, &c. |