BAINBRIDGE'S VICTORY

or

Huzza for the Constitution, Once More!

Engagement between the United States Frigate Constitution, and the British Frigate Java

When our good Constitution was last moor'd in port,

After having a round of American sport;

After shewing the British we never knew fear,

And dispatching to Davy, proud Madam Guerriere,

Our cans with good liquor were flowing quite full,

And we toss'd off a health to the brave Captain Hull.

We sung and we frolick'd with humor and glee,

Our Money we spent like true lads of the sea;

And when we were tir'd of rambling on shore,

We merrily went to the ocean for more.

Our cans with good liquor were flowing quite full,

And we toss'd off a health to the brave Captain Hull.

Our captain so brave to another gave place,

And Bainbridge the noble, now join'd in the chace,

As gallant a hero as e'er took his turn,

Or stepp'd on our frigate between stem and stern.

So our cans with good liquor were flowing quite full,

And we toss'd off a health unto Bainbridge and Hull.

Now sailing the ocean we heard of the fray,

Which the Wasp and the Frolic box'd out 'tother day,

While full peals of joy round our Frigate now rang,

And the praise of the heroes each jolly tar sang.

So our cans with good liquor were flowing quite dull,

and a health we toss'd off to brave Jones and brave Hull.

Not many days pass'd ere further good news,

Come whistling thro' port‑holes to true yankee blues,

For we heard that Decatur, the noble and brave,

Had the famed Macedonian beat on the wave.

So our cans with good liquor were flowing quite full

And we toss'd off to Jones and Decatur and Hull.

And now it was thought by each jolly bold heart,

That 'teas time for our Frigate to play the next part,

So be sure while we travers'd the ocean about,

The men at mast‑head kept the sharpest look‑out.

So our cans we tossed off with liquor quite dull,

To Bainbridge, and Jones, and Decatur, and Hull.

At length through the wave as she plow'd in her pride,

The Java our seamen exultantly spied,

And as usual, all strangers to cowardly fear,

To the brazen‑fac'd huzzy, we quickly drew near.

So our cans, &c, as last above.

And now did our bull‑dogs most merrily bark,

Sure Miss Java ne'er met such a deuced rough spark,

For we tore her fine rigging, and cut up her dress,

Till she'd not a spar standing her carcase to bless.

So our cans, &c, as last above.

Now the battle was done, and she wished for no more,

Her decks were all cover'd with corpses and gore,

So their red‑cross the Britons were glad to haul down,

And to yield to Columbia their naval renown.

So our cans, &c, as last above.

‑‑ Anonymous

The Captain’s Clerk
1989, TGM