Admiral Benbow

Oh, we sail'd to Virginia, and thence to Fayal,
Where we water'd our shipping, and then we weigh'd all.
Full in view on the seas, boys, seven sails we did espy ;
Oh, we manned our capstan and weigh'd speedily.

The first we came up with was a brigantine sloop,
And we ask'd if the others were as big as they look'd ;
But turning to windward as near as we could lie,
We found there were ten men-of-war cruizing by.

Oh ! we drew up our squadron in very nice line,
And boldly we fought them for full four hours' time;
But the day being spent, boys, and the night coming on,
We let them alone till the very next morn.

The very next morn the engagement prov'd hot,
And brave Admiral Benbow receiv'd a chain shot;
And when he was wounded to his merry men he did say,
'Take me up in your arms, boys, and carry me away.'

Oh ! the guns they did rattle, and the bullets did fly,
But Admiral Benbow for help would not cry.
'Take me down to the cockpit; there is ease for my smarts.
If my merry men see me it will sure break their hearts.'

Our brave Captain Crosbie proved coward at last,
For he stood at bo-peep behind the main mast;
He stood at bo-peep and did quiver and shake
For fear that those French dogs his dear life should take.

The very next morning, by break of the day,
They hoisted their top sails and so bore away ;
We bore to Port Royal, where the people flocked much
To see Admiral Benbow carried to Kingston Church.

Come, all you brave fellows, wherever you've been,
Let us drink to the health of our King and our Queen;
And another good health to the girls that we know,
And a third in remembrance of brave Admiral Benbow.