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CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIERE
It
ofttimes has been told that British seamen bold
Could
flog the tars of
But
they never found their match till the Yankees did them catch,
O,
the Yankee boys for fighting are the dandy, O!
Guerriere,
a frigate bold, on the foaming ocean rolled,
Commanded
by proud Dacres, the grandee, O!
With
as choice a British crew as a rammer ever drew,
Could
flog the Frenchmen, two to one, so handy, O!
When
our frigate hove in view, says proud Dacres to his crew,
"Come,
clear ship for action, and be handy, O!
To
the weather gage, boys, get her," and to make his men fight better,
Gave
them to drink gunpowder mixed with brandy, O!
Then
Dacres loudly cries: "Make this Yankee ship your prize;
You
can in thirty minutes, neat and handy, O!
Twenty‑five's
enough, I'm sure; and if you do it in a score,
I'll
treat you to a double DRINK of brandy, O!
The
British shot flew hot, which the Yankees answered not
Till
they got within the distance they called handy, O!
"Now,"
says
If
we take this boasting Briton we're the dandy, O!
The
first broadside we poured carried her mainmast by the board,
Which
made this lofty frigate look abandoned, O!
Then
Dacres shook his head, and to his officers said:
"Lord! I didn't think those Yankees were so handy,
O!
Our
second told so well that her fore and mizzen fell,
Which
doused the royal ensign neat and handy, O!
"By
George!" says he, "we're done!" and they fired a lee gun,
While
the Yankees struck up "Yankee Doodle Dandy," O!
Then
Dacres came aboard to deliver up his sword,
Though
loth was he to part with it, so handy O!
"O,
keep your sword," says
Cheer
up! and take a little drink of brandy, O!"
Now
fill you glasses full and we'll drink to Captain Hull,
And
so merrily we'll push around the brandy, O!
John Bull may toast his fill, but let the
world say what it will,
The
Yankee boys for fighting are the dandy, O!
‑‑ Anonymous broadside
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The Captain’s Clerk |