HEARTS OF OAK.
Reading edition
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 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, or run them ashore; For if they won't fight us, we cannot do more. Hearts of oak, etc.
Britannia triumphant, her ships sweep the sea; Her standard is Justice— her watchword, "Be free!" Then cheer up, my lads! with one heart let us sing, "Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, and king." Hearts of oak, etc.
David Garrick.