Chesapeake and the Shannon

(Source: Contemplator.com)

 

O the Chesapeake so bold, out of Boston she was towed
To take an English frigate neat and handy, O;
And the people in the port, they came to see the sport,
Whilst the music played up Yankee doodle dandy, O.

Chorus:

Hi! Yankee doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy!
Hi! Yankee doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy!

Now the British frigate's name, oh, that for the purpose came
To cool the Yankees' courage neat and handy, 0,
Was the Shannon, Captain Broke, with his men all hearts of oak,
Who for fighting was allowed to be the dandy, 0.

Chorus:

Just before the fight began, said the Yankees with much fun:
We'll tow her into Boston neat and handy, 0;
And then afterwards we'll dine with our sweethearts and our wives,
And we'll dance the jig called Yankee doodle dandy, 0.

Chorus:

Now the fight had scarce begun when they flinch-ed from the guns,
Which they thought that they would fight so neat and handy, 0;
Then brave Broke he drew his sword, crying: now my lads we'll board
And we'll stop them playing Yankee doodle dandy, 0.

Chorus:

They no sooner heard the word than they quickly jumped on board,
And haul-ed down the ensign neat and handy, 0.
Notwithstanding all their brag, soon the glorious British flag
At the Yankee's mizen-peak it looked the dandy, 0.

Chorus:

Here's a health, my boys, to you, with your courage stout and true.
Who fought the Chesapeake so neat and handy, 0;
And may it ever prove that in fighting as in love
That the true British sailor is the dandy, 0.

Chorus: