Long had the proud Spaniards Advancèd to conquer us, Threatening our country With fire and sword; Often preparing 5 Their navy most sumptuous, With all the provision That Spain could afford.
Dub a-dub, dub, Thus strike the drums, 10 Tan-ta-ra, ta-ra-ra, The Englishman comes.
To the seas presently Went our lord admiral, With knights couragious, 15 And captains full good; The earl of Essex, A prosperous general, With him preparèd To pass the salt flood. 20 Dub a-dub, &c.
At Plymouth speedily, Took they ships valiantly; Braver ships never Were seen under sail; With their fair colours spread, 25 And streamers o'er their head; Now, bragging Spaniards, Take heed of your tail. Dub a-dub, &c.
Unto Cales cunningly, Came we most happily, 30 Where the kings navy Did secretly ride; Being upon their backs, Piercing their buts of sack, Ere that the Spaniards 35 Our coming descry'd. Tan-ta-ra, ta-ra-ra, The Englishman comes; Bounce a-bounce, bounce a-bounce, Off went the guns. 40
Great was the crying, Running and riding, Which at that season Was made at that place; Then beacons were firèd, 45 As need was requirèd; To hide their great treasure, They had little space: "Alas!" they cryèd, "English men comes." 50
There you might see the ships, How they were firèd fast, And how the men drown'd Themselves in the sea; There you may hear them cry, 55 Wail and weep piteously; When as they saw no shift To escape thence away. Dub a-dub, &c.
The great Saint Philip, The pride of the Spaniards, 60 Was burnt to the bottom, And sunk in the sea; But the Saint Andrew, And eke the Saint Matthew, We took in fight manfully, 65 And brought them away. Dub a-dub, &c.
The earl of Essex, Most valiant and hardy, With horsemen and footmen March'd towards the town; 70 The enemies which saw them, Full greatly affrighted, Did fly for their safeguard, And durst not come down. Dub a-dub, &c.
"Now," quoth the noble earl, 75 "Courage, my soldiers all! Fight, and be valiant, And spoil you shall have; And well rewarded all, From the great to the small; 80 But look that the women And children you save." Dub a-dub, &c.
The Spaniards at that sight, Saw 'twas in vain to fight, Hung up their flags of truce, 85 Yielding the town; We march'd in presently, Decking the walls on high With our English colours, Which purchas'd renown. 90 Dub a-dub, &c.