Admiral Byng and Brave West
I said unto brave West, ‘Take the van, take the van,’
I said unto brave West, ‘Take the van.’
I said unto brave West,
‘As you like fighting best,
I in the rear will rest,
Take the van.’
Brave West did boldly act in the van, in the van,
Brave West did boldly act in the van;
As he did boldly act,
I call’d my own ships back;
Else he’d put the French to wrack
Near Mahon.
Oh! woe to cursed gold! ohon! ohon!
Oh! woe to cursed gold! ohon!
Oh! woe to cursed gold;
For Minorca I have sold,
That gallant place of old,
With Mahon!
It’s decreed by the King, I do hear, I do hear,
He’s decreed it the nation to please,
It’s decreed by the King,
I’ll be shot by my marines,
For the misdeed I have deen
On the seas.