Edward Elgar — Fates Discourtesy

Be well assured that on our side Our challenged oceans fight Though headlong wind and leaping tide Make us their sport to-night Through force of weather, not of war In jeopardy we steer Then welcome Fate's discourtesy Whereby it shall appear How in all time of our distress As in our triumph too The game is more than the player of the game And the ship is more than the crew! Be well assured, though wave and wind Have mightier blows in store That we who keep the watch assigned Must stand to it the more; And as our streaming bows dismiss Each billow's baulked career Sing welcome Fate's discourtesy Whereby it is made clear How in all time of our distress As in our triumph too The game is more than the player of the game And the ship is more than the crew! Be well assured that on our side Our challenged oceans fight Though headlong wind and leaping tide Make us their sport to-night Through force of weather, not of war In jeopardy we steer Then welcome Fate's discourtesy Whereby it shall appear How in all time of our distress As in our triumph too The game is more than the player of the game And the ship is more than the crew!