Shannon and Chesapeake
The Chesapeake so bold,
Out of Boston, we’ve been told,
Came to take the British frigate
Neat and handy, O!
All the people of the port
They came out to see the sport,
And the bands were playing
‘Yankee doodle dandy, O!’
The British frigate’s name,
Which for the purpose came
Of cooling Yankee courage
Neat and handy, O!
Was the Shannon—Captain Broke.
All her crew were hearts of oak,
And at fighting they’re allowed to be
The dandy, O!
Now before the fight begun,
The Yankees with much fun,
Said they’d take the British frigate
Neat and handy, O!
And after that they’d dine,
Treat their sweethearts all with wine,
And the band should play up
‘Yankee doodle dandy, O!’
We no sooner had begun
Than from their guns they run,
Though before they thought they worked ’em
Neat and handy, O!
Brave Broke he waved his sword,
Crying, ‘Now, my lads, we’ll board,
And we’ll stop their playing
“Yankee doodle dandy, O!”’
We no sooner heard the word
Than we all jumped aboard
And tore down the colours
Neat and handy, O!
Notwithstanding all their brag
O’er the glorious British flag,
At the Yankee mizen-peak
It looked the dandy, O!
Here’s a health to Captain Broke,
And all the hearts of oak,
That took the Yankee frigate
Neat and handy, O!
And may we always prove
That in fighting and in love,
The true British sailor
Is the dandy, O!