Heart of Oak
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- For other meanings see Hearts of Oak
Heart of Oak is the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom (which also incorporates the Royal Marines). It is also the official march of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, the naval component of the Canadian Forces.
Lyrics
Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, not press you like slaves,
For who are as free as the sons of the waves?
CHORUS
Hearts of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men,
we always are ready; Steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.
We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay,
They never see us but they wish us away;
If they run, why we follow, and run them ashore,
And if they won't fight us, we cannot do more.
CHORUS...
They swear they'll invade us, these terrible foes,
They frighten our women, our children and beaus,
But should their flat bottoms in darkness get o'er,
Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore.
CHORUS...
Still Britain shall triumph, her ships plough the sea,
Her standard be justice, her watchword "Be free,"
Then cheer up, my lads, with our hearts let us sing,
Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, and King.
CHORUS...
Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer
To climates unknown did courageously steer
Through oceans to deserts, for freedom they came
And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame
CHORUS...