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98 SONGS AND BALLADS
Therefore with courage bold, boys, let us venture; Like noble hearts of gold now freely enter Your names on board the fleet, all friends forsaking, That we may soon compleat this undertaking.
Is it not that the land might be defended By a victorious hand ? tho' France intended To lay a heavy yoke on a free nation, Boys, let a fatal stroke prove their vexation !
But yet methinks I hear some cowards crying, The press they dread and fear as much as dying, And sculk, like frighted slaves, here in distraction, To hide in dens and caves from warlike action.
Yet some declare they'd fight, but a dear mother, Who counts him her delight above all other, She loves him as her life ; parting would grieve her : Another has a wife, he's loath to leave her.
Thus cowards they can find excuses many To tarry here behind; yet there's not any Right valiant noble soul heeds a relation, . He'll fight against controul for this his nation.
Has not men wish'd and cry'd, ' A war with France !' boys, That on the ocean wide we may advance, boys ? To storm and shake their throne, no danger fearing: This still has been their tone oft in my hearing.
Where are those heroes now, those sons of thunder, That would make Lewis bow and bring him under ? Your wishes now you have, France is the center ; Like seamen stout and brave, boys, freely venture !
In a fight fierce and hot once was I wounded ; We receiv'd showrs of shot, being surrounded; Yet I again will go, and scorn to hide me; I'll face the daring foe, what e'er betide me.
He that has been in fight fears not another ; He leaves with much delight father and mother, To embrace those true joys which men admire; We can be merry, boys, in smoak and fire. |
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