The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #73792 Message #1282847
Posted By: Joe Offer
28-Sep-04 - 01:45 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: British Tars
Subject: ADD: British Tars
I found it on the DVD - it's right at the end of Chapter 11 of the DVD. The tune used in the movie is The Bonny Ship the Diamond. What I hear on the movie is:
Come all you bold young thoughtless men, a warning take by me And never leave your happy homes to sail the raging sea
Here's my transcription of the lyrics from Harding B 25(294), one of the broadsides Malcolm linked to above. -Joe Offer-
The British Tars
Come all you thoughtless young men, A warning take by me And never [leave] your happy homes To sail the raging seas For I have ploughed the raging main This twenty years and more But now I am turned adrift to starve Upon my native shore.
When war at first assailed us, I quickly left my trade, Our country was in danger, I flew to lend my aid, And in my country's service, Long, long fatigues I bore But now I'm turned adrift to starve Upon my native shore.
By storms and raging tempests Shipwrecked three times I've been And many a bloody battle Upon the seas I have seen. I've seen the cannon's glaring flash Have heard its murd'rous roar Tho' now I'm turned adrift to starve Upon my native shore.
The British Seaman's valour To all the world is known We conquer still where e'er we go The action is our own. The Metor (sic - perhaps Meteor) flag of Haughty Gaul Triumphantly we bore But now we are turned adrift to starve Upon my native shore.
Should hostile fleets e'er venture Upon the raging main True Hearts of Oak we British Tars We'll push to sea again. And bravely bring their ships to port As we have done before. So help us now while we are in want Upon our native shore.
Come pity ye gentle stranger A luckless British tar, In your defence you yet may hurl The thunder bolt of war Come lend me some kind assistance And heaven will bless your store For now I'm turned adrift to starve Upon my native shore.