Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to those Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loupèd clothes, May they and their commanders live happy all their years, With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers!
I’m lonesome since I cross’d the hill, And o’er the moor and valley; Such heavy thoughts my heart do fill, Since parting with my Sally. I seek no more the fine or gay, For each does but remind me How swift the hours did pass away, With the girl I’ve left behind me.
Oh, ne’er shall I forget the night, The stars were bright above me, And gently lent their silv’ry light When first she vowed to love me. But now I’m bound to Brighton camp, Kind Heaven, then, pray guide me, And send me safely back again To the girl I’ve left behind me.
My mind her form shall still retain, In sleeping, or in waking, Until I see my love again, For whom my heart is breaking. If ever I return that way, And she should not decline me, I evermore will live and stay With the girl I’ve left behind me.
Come, all ye jolly sailors bold, Whose hearts are cast in honour’s mould, While English glory I unfold, Huzza for the _Arethusa_! She is a frigate tight and brave, As ever stemmed the dashing wave; Her men are staunch To their fav’rite launch, And when the foe shall meet our fire, Sooner than strike, we’ll all expire On board of the _Arethusa_.
’Twas with the spring fleet she went out The English Channel to cruise about, When four French sail, in show so stout Bore down on the _Arethusa_. The famed _Belle Poule_ straight ahead did lie, The _Arethusa_ seemed to fly, Not a sheet, or a tack, Or a brace, did she slack; Though the Frenchmen laughed and thought it stuff, But they knew not the handful of men, how tough, On board of the _Arethusa_.
On deck five hundred men did dance, The stoutest they could find in France; We with two hundred did advance On board of the _Arethusa_. Our captain hailed the Frenchman, ‘Ho!’ The Frenchman then cried out ‘Hallo!’ ‘Bear down, d’ye see, To our admiral’s lee!’ ‘No, no,’ says the Frenchman, ‘that can’t be!’ ‘Then I must lug you along with me,’ Says the saucy _Arethusa_.
The fight was off the Frenchman’s land, We forced them back upon their strand, For we fought till not a stick could stand Of the gallant _Arethusa_. And now we’ve driven the foe ashore Never to fight with the Britons more, Let each fill his glass To his fav’rite lass; A health to our captain and officers true, And all that belong to the jovial crew On board of the _Arethusa_.