Tony Rose - The Fourteenth Of July lyrics

On the Fourteenth of July, so clear it was the sky, A lofty sail of French ships came bearing down so nigh; Came bearing down upon us right clear out of France, And the name that we gave her was the Little Fighting Chance. So cheer up, my lively lads for it never shall be said That the sons of old Britannia shall ever be afraid. Well, now my brave boys, the gunshots they are come. We'll hoist up English colours and we'll give to them a gun. To broadside to broadside, we'll show them gallant sport Till their lofty yards and topsails come a-tumbling overboard. So cheer up, my lively lads for it never shall be said That the sons of old Britannia shall ever be afraid. We fought them full four hours, the battle it being so hot, There were fourteen of our foremost men lay dead on the spot, There were six more they were wounded, there were twenty lads in all. We will cut down those white lilies of the French dogs one and all! So cheer up, my lively lads for it never shall be said That the sons of old Britannia shall ever be afraid. And now, my brave boys, the prize is all our own, What shall we do for jury-masts, suppose that they have none? We'll take her into harbour with a sweet and pleasant gale And so early in the morning we're at the head of old Kinsale. So cheer up, my lively lads for it never shall be said That the sons of old Britannia shall ever be afraid. And now, my brave boys, since we are safe on shore, We'll make those lofty ale-houses and taverns for to roar. Here's a health to King George and all to his royal fleet. We will smother all those Frenchmen wherever we do meet! So cheer up, my lively lads for it never shall be said That the sons of old Britannia shall ever be afraid.