Rodney’s Glory

Words: Eoin Ruadh Ó Suilleabhaín
Air: __________________________________________

Give ear ye British hearts of gold
That e’er disdains to be controlled
Good news to you I will unfold
‘tis of Brave Rodney’s glory
And from his colours ne’er would start
But always took his country’s part
Against each foe who dared t’oppose
Or blast the bloom of England’s rose
So now observe my story

‘twas in the year of eighty two
The Frenchmen know full well ‘tis true
Brave Rodney did their fleet subdue
Not far from old Fort Royal
Full early by the mornings light
The proud De Grasse appeared in sight
And thought brave Rodney to affright
With colour spread at each masthead
Long pendants too both white and red
A signal for engagement

Our Admiral then he gave command
That each should at his station stand
Now for the sake of Old England
We’ll show them British valour
Then we the British flag displayed
No tortures could our heart invade
Both sides began to cannonade
Their mighty shot we values not
We piled our Irish pills so hot
Which put them in confusion

This made the Frenchmen to combine
And draw their shipping in a line
To sink our fleet was their design
But they were far mistaken
Broadside for broadside we let fly
Till they in hundreds bleeding lie
The seas were all of crimson dye
Full deep we stood in human blood
Surrounded by a scarlet flood
But still we fought courageous

So loud or cannons that the roar
Re-echoed round the Indian shore
Both ships and rigging suffered sore
We kept such constant firing
Our guns did roar and smoke did rise
And clouds of sulphur veiled the skies
Which filled De Grasse with wild surprise
Both Rodney’s guns and Paddy’s sons
Make echo shake where’er they come
They fear no French or Spaniard

From mornings dawn to fall of night
We did maintain this bloody fight
Being still regardless of their might
We fought like Irish heroes
Though on the deck did bleeding lie
Many of our men in agony
We resolved to conquer or to die
To gain the glorious victory
And would rather suffer to sink or die
Than offer to surrender

So well our quarters we maintained
Five captured ships we have obtained
And thousands of their men were slain
During this hot engagement
Our British metal flew like hail
Until at length the French turned tail
Drew in their colours and made sail
In deep distress as you may guess
And when they got in readiness
They sailed down Fort Royal

Now may prosperity attend
Brave Rodney and his Irishmen
And may he never want a friend
While he shall reign commander
Success to our Irish Officers
Seamen bold and jolly tars
Who like darling sons of Mars
Take delight in the fight
And vindicate bold England’s right
And die for Erin’s glory