The Constitution and Guerriere

It oft-times has been told
That the British seamen bold
Could flog the tars of France
So neat and handy, O !
But they never met their match
Till the Yankees did them catch,
Oh ! the Yankee boy for fighting
Is the dandy, O !

The Guerriere, a frigate bold,
On the foaming ocean roll'd,
Commanded by proud Dacres,
All the grandee, O !
With as choice a British crew
As a rammer ever drew,
They could flog the French men, two to one
So handy, O !

When this frigate bore in view,
Says proud Dacres to his crew :
'Come ! clear the ship for action
And be handy, O!
To the weather-gage, boys, get her !'
And to make his men fight better
Gave them gunpowder to drink
Mixed with brandy, O !

Then Dacres loudly cries,
'Make this Yankee ship your prize,
You can in thirty minutes,
Neat and handy, O !
Twenty-five's enough, I'm sure;
And if you do it in a score
I'll treat you to a double share
Of brandy, O !'

The British shot flew hot,
Which the Yankee answered not
Till they got within the distance
They call handy, O !
Now says Hull unto his crew :
'Boys, let's see what we can do !
If we take this boasting Briton
We're the dandy, O !'

The first broadside we poured,
Came her mainmast by the board,
Which made this lofty frigate
Look abandoned, O !
The Dacres shook his head,
And to his officers he said,
'Lord I didn't think these Yankees
Were so handy, O !'

Our second told so well
That their fore and mizen fell,
Which doused the royal ensign
Neat and handy, O !
'By George !' says he, ' we're done !'
And then fired a lee gun,
While the Yankees struck up
'Yankee doodle dandy, O !'

Then Dacres came on board
To deliver up his sword,
Loth was he to part with it,
'Twas so handy, O !
'Oh ! keep your sword,' says Hull,
'For it only makes you dull;
Cheer up, and take a little drink
Of brandy, O !'

Come ! fill your glasses full !
And we'll drink ' To Captain Hull,
And so merrily we'll push about
The brandy, O !
John Bull may toast his fill!
But let the world say what it will,
The Yankee boy for fighting
Is the dandy, O !