Gloomy winter's now awa' (1813-1820)/The Shannon and Chesapeake

THE SHANNON AND CHESAPEAKE.

Come all you gallant seamen
landsmen listen unto me,
Whilſt I relate a bloody fight,
was lately fought at sea.

So fierce and hot upon each ſide,
as plainly will appear.
There's not been such a battle fought;
no not this many a year.

The eighteenth day of May, brave boys,
from Halifax we set sail,
And up the American coast we did steer,
with a sweet and pleasant gale.

And standing off New York river,
on the twenty second day,
A sloop of war round Sandy Hook,
a man from our masthead did spy.

We gave to her three broadsides,
her colours soon came down,
We sent on board our Master's mate,
with a number of our men.

Standing further to the northward,
being ordered for to go;
And cruising off Boston Bay,
our captain commanded so.

On the twenty-eighth day of May
off Boston Bay we lay,
We sent a challenge to the Chesapeake
to engage us in the bay.

And on the first of June, my boys,
the weather being clear,
Bold Lawrence, he soon hove in fight,
as plainly you ſhall hear.

Our commander of the Shannon,
gallant Brook was his name,
Cheer up your hearts my seamen bold
for now ſhe's bearing down,

And in the space of twenty one minutes,
the action hot began,

And after two or three broadsides,
fool of yard and yard we came.

Being broadside to broadside,
our cannon loud did roar,
While ninety five seamen and marines
lay bleeding in their gore.

Which causes many a widow
in Scotia for to mourn,
And many disconsolate mothers,
lamenting the first of June.

For the space of fifteen minutes,
this action it did hold,
All on the briny ocean,
men never fought more bold.

The Americans we must confess,
they did their valor shew,
But, we remainder of our ship's company,
soon brought their colours low.

Great rejoicings were made in Boston
their bells did loudly ring,
Expecting our commander and crew
prisoners to be brought in.

But into their misfortune,
we soon did let them know,
That the Chesapeake (illegible text) the Shannon,
her colours had laid low.

So now my song is ended,
I hope each tar will smile,
And as we have obtain'd a peace,
may plenty crown our isle.

Hoping Columbia's sons will never
oppose our future joy
Or if they do, may we courage find
our enemy to annoy.