General Campbell

It was in the month of April, upon the fourteenth day,
This expedition did embark to cross the raging sea ;
Our fleet being well prepared, our anchors we did weigh,
To sail against the Burmese to show them British play.

When we embark'd from Madras it grieved our hearts full sore,
Our wives and children weeping as they sat on the shore,
Crying, ' Art thou gone and left us thy absence for to mourn,
To languish on a foreign land awaiting thy return ? ;

We left the roads of Madras upon the sixteenth day;
Each man being well prepared and eager for the fray,
Our squadron form'd a brilliant line to shew a grand half-moon:
With British colours flying, we sailed against Rangoon.

When we were three days sailing, three sails appear'd in view;
We fir'd off a signal gun, when quickly they lay to :
Our commodore bore down on them, we followed him in line,
But they proved to be some British troops awaiting us to join.

Next to Port Cornwallis our course we then did steer,
And hoisted all our stunsails without either dread or fear.
The next thing that appear'd in view was the Calcutta fleet,
Was lying there at anchor, all waiting us to meet.

Our fleet being assembled (the sail was sixty-three)
A signal gun for sailing was fired instantly;
When out to sea we bore again, and sailed both night and day,
And on the tenth of May, my boys, we anchor'd in their bay.

It was early the next morning, the weather being fair,
We weigh'd our anchors to the bows, and up the river did steer.
The enemy commenced on shore to put us to the rout;
But we upon the decks did stand, resolved to fight it out.

The Lilly frigate led the way, when clouds of smoke did rise,
The Leander sloop in company, which did our foes surprise ;
The Sophia brig and gun boats, their cannon loud did roar,
Like thunder rent the elements all on the Burmese shore.

'All hands prepare for landing !' resounded through the fleet;
'Let every man have sixty rounds his enemy for to meet.'
Like lions bold we rushed on shore at ten o'clock that day:
These cowardly dogs could not us stand, we forced them to give way.

Now Rangoon we have taken, let us drink unto our king ;
May all his loyal subjects fresh laurels to him bring.
Likewise to General Campbell, who commanded on that day.
And pull'd their saucy peacock down on the eleventh day of