Thunder on the sea
The mighty Man ‘o War
England’s realm defended thus.
No sword was stronger than
This mantle of salacious thrust.
Keeping this Isle safe from marauding hordes.
Stories abound with the courage of men.
Aye, and women and children too.
Aboard this, their home, their lust for life
Abounded, calm and well protected.
Until the call for duty sounded.
Over one hundred guns made a first rater.
In three banks of terrifying order.
Outfiring any other gun crew
In any language, vital and true
To keep our heritage and domain secure.
Trafalgar, The Nile, Tenerife and more
Battle lines drawn, dissected, attuned.
Our Admiral Nelson’s pleasure since the age of twelve.
Midshipman to captain, years to learn
The winning ways and to bring victory too.
Never a pause, invincible in mind.
His crew to follow the same
Without any glimmer of doubt.
Gunners and powder monkeys.
Trained, ready and up for the shout.
Acres of sail to lay on speed.
Canvas yawning to take tow
Of any notion re wind or breeze.
Two hundred men aloft at any given time
To earn the respect of their family below.
The whole moulded together.
A fighting force like no other.
Their very sight consigned to fright
Any Frenchie or Spaniard foolish
Enough to ascend into fight.
With up to ninety ships of the line
carried by the prevailing wind.
Supported by the solid oak of England
Throughout hull, home and masts.
Wood, canvas and flesh combined.
No battle was ever lost,
During those days and nights sublime.
England’s finest, hard at their task
At protecting their country, their home.
Delivering the winning stroke when asked.
We should never forget
These warriors upon seas so wide.
Their efforts made what we are today.
Our deliverance, sown in retrospect
Anywhere there are oceans of great divide.
So, good people of Britannia respond.
Shoulder together in one happy bond
Of unfailing unity to ensure the best.
Offered to our future kin and children
Before we lay in eternal rest.
