Fight off Camperdown

Enroll’d in our bright annals lives many a gallant name,
But never British hearts conceiv’d a prouder deed of fame,
To shield our liberties and laws, to guard out sovereign crown
Than noble Duncan’s mighty arm achiev’d off Camperdown.

CHORUS
To shield out liberties and laws, to guard our sovereign crown
Immortal be the glorious deed achiev’d off Camperdown,

October 11th it was, he espied the Dutch at nine,
The British signal flew to break her close embattled line,
Their line was broke ? for our tars on that auspicious day,
All bitter memory of the past, were resolved to wipe away.
Their line, &c.

At three o’clock nine mighty ships had struck their colours proud,
And two brave Admirals at his feet, their vanquish’d flags had bow’d,
Our Duncan’s towering colours streamed glorious to the last,
For in the battle’s fiercest rage, he nail’d them to the mast.
Our Duncan, &c.

The victory now complete, the cannons cease to roar,
The scatter’d remnants of the foe slunk to their native shore,
The power of the pride of conquest has, his heart to lead astray,
He summoned his triumphant crew, and thus was heard to say
Let every man now bend his knee, and here in solemn prayer,
Give thanks to God, who in this fight, has made our cause his care!

Then on the deck, the noble field of that proud days renown,
Brave Duncan with his crew, devour, before their God knelt down,
Humbly blessing his providence, bailed his guardian power,
Who valor, strength and skill inspir’d, in that dread battle’s hour.
Humbly, &c.

The captive Dutch this solemn scene survey’d in silent awe,
And rues the day when Holland crouch’d to France’s imperious law;
And marked how virtue, courage, faith, unite to form this land,
For victory, for fame, and power, just rule and high command
And marked, &c.

The Venerable was the ship that bore his flag to fame,
Out vet’ran hero well becomes his gallant vessel’s name,
Behold his locks, the speak the toil of many a stormy day,
For 50 years and more, my boys, has fighting been this way,
The Venerable was the ship that bore his flag to fame,
And Venerable ever be our vet’ran Duncan’s name.