6
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,
