The Downfall of the French Fleet

The 28th of May the French fleet hove in sight.
Lord Howe he made a signal; resolv'd he was to fight.
Then his ships in a line he drew,
And cannon balls straight at them flew,
Resolv'd the French dogs to subdue,
Like brave British boys.

On the 29th again our ships in line we drew;
Resolv'd was each man the action to renew.
Admiral Gardiner then the line he broke,
Which in our favour spoke,
Crying, ' Monsieur, we will make you smoke,
Like true British boys.

At last the glorious day, call'd the first of June
So well I do remember, it was about noon
We to windward of them lay,
And down to them we bore away,
Resolv'd our courage to display,
Like brave British boys.

And then the bold Brunswick for honour she did try.
Alongside the Vengeur two hours she did lie.
Brave Captain Harvey he did cry,
'My lads, we have orders to comply;
We'll make her strike or else we'll die
Like brave Brunswick boys?

Our officers and our ship's crew so well did ply their part
Nine shot from our guns in her copper we did dart,
Till down her colours she did haul,
And to be boarded aloud did bawl,
Crying out, ' Monsieur, we'll sink you all,'
Say the brave Brunswick boys.

Another on our larboard side to beard us she came,
And to put us all to death, the America by name;
But with our skill we all did try,
And three broadsides at her let fly,
And her three masts on board did lie,
By the brave Brunswick boys.

Success to Lord Howe, and all his noble fleet;
Such a set of fighting fellows together ne'er did meet.
May they together still remain,
And brave Lord Howe still rule the main
For to subdue Monsieur again,
Like brave British boys.

Success to King George, likewise our royal Queen,
And may they be happy throughout their glorious reign,
And may God forget them quite,
That will not go and fight,
For to maintain great George's right,
Like brave British boys.