Heart of Oak

About the Song

"Heart of Oak" is the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Australian Navy. Written in 1759 by the actor David Garrick with music by William Boyce, it celebrates the "Annus Mirabilis" (Year of Miracles) of British victories during the Seven Years' War.

Video

Lyrics

Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,

To add something more to this wonderful year;

To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,

For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

Heart of Oak are our ships,

Jolly Tars are our men,

We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady!

We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay,

They never see us but they wish us away;

If they run, why we follow, and run them ashore,

And if they won't fight us, what can we do more?

Heart of Oak are our ships,

Jolly Tars are our men,

We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady!

We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.