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Title
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British man of war
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Singer
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Mills, James
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
Twas down in yonder meadows I carelessly did stray,
There I beheld a lady fair with some young sailor gay,
He said - "My lovely Susan, I soon must leave the shore,
And cross the briny ocean in a British Man o' War."
Verse 2
Pretty Susan fell a-weeping - "Young sailor," she did say,
"How can you be so venturesome, to throw your life away;
When I am twenty one I shall receive my store,
Jolly sailor, do not venture in a British Man o' War."
Verse 3
"Oh, Susan, lovely Susan, the truth to you I'll tell,
The British flag's insulted, old England knows it well;
I may be crowned with laurels, so, like a jolly tar,
I will face the wars of China in a British Man o' War."
Verse 4
"Oh, sailor, do not venture to face the proud Chinese,
For they will prove more treacherous than any Portuguese,
All by some deadly dagger you may receive a scar,
So turn your inclination from a British Man o' War."
Verse 5
"Oh, Susan, lovely Susan, the time will quickly pass,
Now come down to the ferry house and take a parting glass;
My shipmate is there waiting to row me from the shore,
And it's for old England's glory in a British Man o' War."
Verse 6
The sailor took his handkerchief and cut it fair in two -
"Oh, Susan, keep one half for me, and I'll do the same for you;
Though bullets may surround me, and cannons loudly roar,
I will fight for fame and Susan in a British Man o' War."
