History & Politics
The Sailor's Resolution to Fight the Spaniards
From Naval Songs and Ballads, ed. C. H. Firth (1908)
What ship, honest brother sailor ? You must stop and let us know.
If you're entered or protected, you must tell before you go.
Here's our warrants to impress you. Ne'er repine, my noble blood ;
We don't mean for to oppress you ; it's for your king and country's good.
For to humble the proud Spaniards British courage must be shown,
Or those haughty proud villains will never know what is their own. .
Their men-of-war we'll make to rattle; Spain shall tremble at the sight;
Haste, brave boys, away to battle; the French nor they could never fight.
British courage should never be daunted at the talk of Spanish war[s];
While that seamen they are want[ed] we'll freely enter, like jolly tars.
For to humble the proud Spaniards we'll sail along so brave and true,
And make the Spaniards to knock under and the French cry out,
'Morbleu.'
So come along, my jolly sailors, enter along with tars so true ;
We are the men that fear no dangers, but soon will make the
Spaniards rue.
Success to all our brave commanders that do plough the raging main,
Likewise to our jolly sailors, for to conquer France and Spain.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Naval Songs and Ballads). “The Sailor's Resolution to Fight the Spaniards.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-naval-songs/105/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Naval Songs and Ballads). “The Sailor's Resolution to Fight the Spaniards.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-naval-songs/105/.
Read this poem with the Codex →