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.
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 flyFor what, indeed, are France and Spain when British tars are nigh! At length th' allies heard cannon three, and fires saw far behindThey 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;
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