#1195 - The Lads in Navy Blue

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Composer:
- Harry Dacre
  (1860-1922), 1899
- Thomas Bidgood (1858-1925), 1909
Also known as:
- Jack the Sailor
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Incipit: 11354565311354412
Condensed Incipit: 13545653135412
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Lyrics:
Sing a song in praise of Jack the sailor,
Sing a song about the jolly tar.
Why not boast of them that guard our coast?
Right proud of them we are.
Must we always sing of Tommy Atkins:
Not one word for Jack?
When on land, he makes a mighty stand,
And beats the foeman back!
Why in our glory do we tower?
What is the secret of our power?

chorus:
It is the Navy, the British Navy,
That keeps our foes at bay.
Our old song, “Britannia rules the waves”,
We still can sing today.
We've got a Navy, the fighting navy,
Our neighbours know that's true,
For it keeps them in their place,
When they know they have to face
The lively little lads in Navy blue.

Years ago, when serving for their country,
Brittish tars have met our many foes.
How jack fought, in vict'ries dearly bought,
Our hist'ry plainly shows.
What we did in glorious days of Nelson
England still can do.
Hearts of oak still scorn the foreign yoke:
The old song still holds true!
Why in our glory do we tower?
What is the secret of our power?

Sailor Jack has gain'd a reputation;
Folks declare his love is only sport.
Evil minds believe a sailor finds
A wife in ev'ry port!
Ladies, I beseech you, don't believe it:
Jack can faithful be.
He never swerves: the mistress that he serves
Is Mistress of the Sea!
Why in our glory do we tower?
What is the secret of our power?
- Harry Dacre
  (1860-1922), 1899

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