The Arrow Sloop of War

You Britons bold, that never was controul'd, come listen unto me,
And a song to you I'll sing, none but the truth you'll hear :
Concerning of a fight, brave boys, which happen'd late, you know,
Commanded by bold Portlock, and the ship call'd the Arrow.

The most of people call'd her the Carpenter's Mistake,
Because she had two maintopsail-yards, and head and stern alike.
They said she'd prove a coffin to all our brave ship's crew;
But instead of that, my British boys made the Dutch dogs to rue.

We being new constructed, they said our guns were leather;
They said we steer'd by sleight of hand, they could not see our ruther.
They said our sides were gingerbread, and our shot were made of clay,
But the Dutch they prov'd full sorry on't when us they felt that day.

On the thirteenth of September we saw a Dutch ship lay
All at anchor in Hallen's stream : we bore for her straightway.
In full fifteen minutes raked fore and aft we were
Before we could come up to her or bring our guns to bear.

But, when we did come up to her, our anchor we let go.
Their captain cries, ' Come, British boys, we will make sure of you.'
But when we did begin, my boys, the yards and rigging flew
For raking us we paid them off, both for the old and new.

The second broadside we gave to them their ensign staff came down.
'Well done, my boys !' our captain cries; ' they see us in Hallen stream town
How we do use their shipping so nigh unto their shore.'
And the people stood a-looking on, and heard our great guns roar.

For five-and-twenty minutes so swift we sent them shot,
Our action it was very short, but it was very hot.
Whilst they sung out for quarter, our captain he did say,
'Avast, my boys, with honour, we've shown them British play.

'The action being over, and the pris'ners safe on board,
We'll keep safe below, my boys, and toss a can of grog.
And when we come to Portsmouth, with a girl on each knee,
We'll spend our money cheerfully, and then again to sea.'

It is now for to finish this my warlike song,
I am a saucy foremast Jack, to the Arrow do belong.
In praise of Captain Portlock and his officers we'll sing,
And not forgetting the Arrow's crew, and long live George our
King !