[Verse 1]
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain;
For we've received orders for to sail for old England
(or: For we're under orders for to sail for old England)
But we hope in a short time to see you again
(or: And we may never see you fair ladies again)
[Chorus]
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
(Or: We'll range and we'll roam all on the salt seas)
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 leagues)
[Verse 2]
We hove our ship to with the wind from sou'west, boys
We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take;
(Or: We hove our ship to, for to make soundings clear)
'Twas forty-five fathoms, with a white sandy bottom
So we squared our main yard and up channel did make
(Or: So we squared our main yard and up channel did steer)
[Chorus]
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
(Or: We'll range and we'll roam all on the salt seas)
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 leagues)
[Verse 3]
The first land we sighted was calléd the Dodman
Next Rame Head off Plymouth, Start, Portland and Wight;
We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight and Dover
(Or: We sailed by Beachy, by Fairley and Dungeness)
And then we bore up for the South Foreland light
(Or: Until we brought to by the South Foreland light)
[Chorus]
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
(Or: We'll range and we'll roam all on the salt seas)
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 leagues)
[Verse 4]
Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor
And all in the Downs that night for to lie;
Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper
Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly!
[Chorus]
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
(Or: We'll range and we'll roam all on the salt seas)
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 leagues)
[Verse 5]
Now let ev'ry man drink off his full bumper
And let ev'ry man drink off his full glass; (or: bowl)
We'll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy
And here's to the health of each true-hearted lass (or: soul)
[Chorus]
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas
(Or: We'll range and we'll roam all on the salt seas)
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues
(variously 34, 35 and 45 leagues)
Other Traditional songs:
all Traditional songs all songs from 2013