Here are a few versions of the words. Peter Bellamy's version (with some suspect words in one verse; corrections welcome). This is followed by Harry Cox's version, very similar to many of the broadside versions of Nelson's Death/Monument.

Finally, for breezy, I give the version I actually sing, derived from the Harry Cox version. (The version Kitty posted above is not exactly what I sing.) I didn't think I could sing "Rule Britannia..." with any conviction, so I made a new chorus from a few lines of one of Harry's verses (with a new bit of tune) and assembled together bits of a couple of verses, losing only a couple of lines that don't affect the sense of the rest very much. I've altered a few odd words to make the song suitable for my own singing.

When I have a bit more time I'll put up the tunes.

Mick

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DEATH OF NELSON

On the Twenty-First of October, before the rising sun,
We ?pulled? the line for action me boys at twelve o'clock begun
Brave Nelson to his men did say:
"The Lord will prosper us this day.
Give then the broadside, fire away".
On board the man of war.

So broadside to broadside our cannon balls did fly
Like pale stars their small shot all round our deck did lie
Our mast and rigging they were shot away
Beside some thousand seen that ?grey?
Was ill and wounded on that day
On board the man of war.

But then our brave commander in grief he shook his head:
There is no reprieve, there is no relief, Great Nelson he is dead.
"It was a fatal musket ball
That caused our hero for to fall
But he died in peace. God bless you all
On board the man of war."

And the merchants of Yarmouth when they did hear it so
They said: "Come brother sailors to church now let us go
There we will build a noble pile
All for the hero of the Nile
Who gave his life for England's isle,
On board the man of war".

Now our soldiers and sailors many noble deeds have done
While fighting in foreign many battles they have won.
If the Nile it could witness there
Or the Capes of Trafalgar declare
There is nought with Nelson did compare
On board the man of war.

Source: Peter Bellamy, CD: "Wake The Vaulted Echoes" originally from "Maritime England Suite", 1982

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NELSON'S DEATH

Old England's long expected heavy news from the fleet -
It was commanded by Lord Nelson the French for to meet -
The news it came over, through the country was spread,
That the French were defeated but Lord Nelson was dead.

  Chorus:
  Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves,
  Britons never never never shall be slaves.

Not only Lord Nelson but thousands were slain,
A-fighting the French on the watery main,
To protect our own country both honour and wealth,
But the French they would not yield until they yield unto death.

The merchants of Yarmouth when they heard so
Said, 'Come, brother sailor, to church let us go;
And there we will build a most beautiful pile
In remembrance of Nelson the hero of the Nile'

'Your plans', said Britannia, 'are excellent and good,
A monument for Lord Nelson and a sword for Collingwood.
Let it be of good marble to 'petuate his name;
Letters of gold wrote, "He died for England's fame".'

Our soldiers and sailors as I have been told
Keep themselves in readiness their rights for to hold;
Their rights to maintain, the cause to expose,
If in an invasion to save British ports.

Our soldiers and sailors many brave deeds have done
While fighting in foreign many battles have won.
If the Nile could but speak or did Trafalgar declare,
All the world with Lord Nelson they would not compare.

Source: Roy Palmer: "A Ballad History of England", originally from Harry Cox, collected by Peter Kennedy, 1953.

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NELSON'S DEATH

Old England has long expected heavy news from the fleet -
'Twas commanded by Lord Nelson the French for to meet -
Our rights to maintain, and our cause to expose,
If invasion to keep British ports from our foes.

  Chorus:
  The news has come over, through the country spread,
  The French were defeated but Lord Nelson lay dead.

Not only Lord Nelson but thousands were slain,
Fighting the French on the watery main,
To protect our own country both honour and wealth,
But the French wouldn't yield 'til they yielded to death.

The merchants of Yarmouth when they heard so
Said, 'Come, brother sailors, to the church let us go;
And there we will erect a most beautiful pile
In memory of Lord Nelson the hero of the Nile'

'Your plans', said Britannia, 'are excellent and good,
A monument for Lord Nelson and a sword for Collingwood.
Let it be of good marble to 'petuate his name;
In letters of gold write, "He died for England's fame".'

Our soldiers and sailors many brave deeds have done
Fighting in foreign many battles have won.
But if the Nile could but speak or Trafalgar declare,
In the world with Lord Nelson there's none can compare.

Source: Mick Pearce