Common British Tars
(Ron Baxter)

Let's hear it for Lord Nelson
That hero of the sea
Who 'gainst the French & Spaniards
Gained this glorious victory -
But what about those others
The common British tars
Who fought and died for Nelson
In the fight at Trafalgar?

Bold Nelson died in glory
But so did all those men
Whose blood it mingled with his
They were with him till the end.
One admiral but hundreds
Of common British tars
Their gore was scattered 'cross the decks
In the fight at Trafalgar.

His body then they brought home
To be buried in St Paul's
With sorrow and with reverence
Muffled drums and all.
Thrown overboard like offal
Those common British tars
Who fell as Nelson triumphed
In the fight at Trafalgar.

So let us praise Lord Nelson
For the battle that was won
But don't forget those others
those brothers, husbands, sons.
Remember don't forget them
The common British tars
Not one prayer was said for those
Who fell at Trafalgar
Remember don't forget them
The common British tars
So let us say a prayer for those
Who fell at Trafalgar.

Words: Ron Baxter
Music & Arrangement: Albatrossity
Premiered at the BiCentennial Trafalgar Night concert for Whitehaven Sea Cadets, Civic Hall, Whitehaven, Cumbria 21/10/2005