Poems: New and Old (Newbolt)/The Fighting Téméraire

by Henry Newbolt

The Fighting Téméraire

 

IT was eight bells ringing,For the morning watch was done,And the gunner's lads were singingAs they polished every gun.It was eight bells ringing,And the gunner's lads were singing,For the ship she rode a-swingingAs they polished every gun.

Oh! to see the linstock lighting,Téméraire! Téméraire!Oh! to hear the round shot biting,Téméraire! Téméraire!Oh! to see the linstock lighting,And to hear the round shot biting,For we're all in love with fightingOn the Fighting Téméraire.

It was noontide ringing,And the battle just begun,When the ship her way was wingingAs they loaded every gun. It was noontide ringing,When the ship her way was winging,And the gunner's lads were singingAs they loaded every gun.

There'll be many grim and gory,Téméraire! Téméraire!There'll be few to tell the story,Téméraire! Téméraire!There'll be many grim and gory,There'll be few to tell the story,But we'll all be one in gloryWith the fighting Téméraire.

There's a far bell ringingAt the setting of the sun,And a phantom voice is singingOf the great days done.There's a far bell ringing,And a phantom voice is singingOf renown for ever clingingTo the great days done.

Now the sunset breezes shiver,Téméraire! Téméraire!And she's fading down the river,Téméraire! Téméraire!Now the sunset breezes shiver,And she's fading down the river,But in England's song for everShe's the Fighting Téméraire.