YANKEE THUNDERS

(Written by Lucius Manlius Sargent, Esq. and sung at the Dinner given to the Officers of the United States Frigate Constitution, after the Victory over the British Frigate Guerrier [sic]. Published in Boston by Joseph T. Buckingham, October 1812.)

Tune ‑‑ "Ye gentlemen of England" ‑‑ By Dr. Calleot.

Britannia's gallant streamers, Float proudly o'er the tide;

And fairly wave Columbia's stripes, In battle side by side.

And ne'er did bolder seamen meet, Where ocean surges pour;

O'er the tide now they ride,

O'er the tide now they ride,

O'er the tide now they ride,

While the bell'wing thunders roar,

While the bell'wing thunders roar,

While the cannon's fire is flashing fast,

And the bell'wing thunders roar.

(Chorus.) While the bell'wing thunders roar, etc.

When Yankee meets the Briton, Whose blood congenial flows,

By Heav'n created to be friends, By Fortune rendered foes;

Hard then must be the battle fray, Ere well the fight is o'er;

Now they ride, side by side,

Now they ride, side by side,

Now they ride, side by side,

While the bell'wing thunders, etc.

Still, still, for noble England, Bold D'Acres streamers fly;

And for Columbia, gallant Hull's As proudly and as high;

Now louder rings the battle din, And thick the volume pour;

Still they ride, side by side,

Still they ride, side by side,

Still they ride, side by side,

While the bell'wing thunders, etc.

Why lulls Britannia's thunder, That waked the wat'ry war? Why stays the gallant Guerriere, Whose streamers waved so fair?

That streamer drinks the ocean wave, That warrior's fight is o'er!

Still they ride, side by side,

Still they ride, Side by side,

Still they ride, side by side,

While the bell'wing thunders, etc.

Hark! 'T is the Briton's lee gun! Ne'er bolder warrior kneeled!

And ne'er to gallant mariners Did braver seamen yield.

Proud be the sires, whose hardy boys Then fell to fight no more:

With the brave, mid the wave,

With the brave, mid the wave,

With the brave, mid the wave,

When the cannon's thunders roar,

When the cannon's thunders roar,

Their spirits then shall trim the blast,

And swell the cannon's roar.

(Chorus.) When the cannon's thunders, etc.

Vain were the cheers of Britons, Their hearts did vainly swell,

Where virtue, skill and bravery With gallant Morris fell.

That heart so well in battle tried, Along the Moorish shore,

And again o'er the main,

And again o'er the main,

And again o'er the main,

When Columbia's thunders roar,

When Columbia's thunders roar,

Shall prove its Yankee spirit true,

When Columbia's thunders roar.

(Chorus.) When Columbia's thunders, etc.

Hence be our floating bulwark Those oaks our mountains yield;

'T is mighty Heaven's plain decree ‑‑ Then take the wat'ry field!

To ocean's farthest barrier then Your whit'ning sail shall pour;

Safe they'll ride o'er the tide,

Safe they'll ride o'er the tide,

Safe they'll ride o'er the tide,

While Columbia's thunders roar,

While her cannon's fire is flashing fast,

And her Yankee thunders roar.

(Chorus.) Safe they'll ride o'er the tide, etc.

The Captain’s Clerk
1989, TGM