The death of Admiral Benbow (1702)

Come all you seamen bold and draw near, and draw near,

Come all you seamen bold and draw near,

It's of an admiral's fame, O brave Benbow was his name

How he fought all on the main, you shall hear, you shall hear.

Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight, for to fight

Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight

Brave Benbow he set sail with a fine and pleasent gale

But his Captains they turned tail in a fright, in a fright.

Says Kirby unto Wade: We will run, we will run

Says Kirby unto Wade: We will run

For I value no disgrace, nor the losing of my place

But the enemy I won't face nor his guns, nor his guns.

The Ruby and Benbow fought the French, fought the French,

The Ruby and Benbow fought the French.

They fought them up and down, till the blood came trickling down

Till the blood came trickling down where they lay, where they lay.

Brave Benbow lost his legs by chainshot, by chainshot,

Brave Benbow lost his legs by chainshot

Brave Benbow lost his legs And on his stumps he begs

Fight on my English lads, 'tis our lot, 'tis our lot.

The surgeon dress'd his wounds, cries Benbow, cries Benbow,

The surgeon dress'd his wounds, cries Benbow:

Let a cradle now in haste, on the quarterdeck be placed

That the enemy I may face, till I die, till I die.