Heart of Oak
(David Garrick, 1759)

Come cheer up my lads, it's to glory we steer
To add something more to this wonderful year
To honor we call you, as free men, not slaves
For who are so free as the sons of the waves

Heart of oak are our ships
Heart of oak are our men
We always are ready
Steady, boys, steady
We'll fight and we'll conquer, again and again

Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer
To climates unknown did courageously steer
Through oceans to deserts, for freedom they came
And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame

printed in Burl Ives Songbook, 1953
words: David Garrick, tune: Dr. Boyce
SOF