THE THIRTY-FIRST OF AUGUST

THE THIRTY-FIRST OF AUGUST

(French trad.)

On the thirty-first of August
On the thirty-first of August
We saw approaching under sail
We saw approaching under sail
An English frigate
Cutting through the sea and the waves
In order to attack Bordeaux!

Chorus:

Let's drink a cup, la la, let's drink in two draughts,
To the health of truelovers;
To the health of the King of France,
And **** to the King of England,
Who has declared war on us.

The commander of the ship
Summoned his lieutenant:
"Lieutenant, do you feel able,
Do you feel strong enough
To board and take the Englishman?"

The proud and hardy lieutenant
Replied, "Yes, Captain;
Call all hands to their stations:
I shall hoist our colours,
Which will stay aloft, we swear it."

The master blew his whistle
To call all hands on deck:
All was made ready for the boarding,
Hardy topmen, proud sailors,
Brave gunners, wee cabinboys.

Turning our back to the wind as we came up,
I boarded her at her forepart;
With hatchet and grenade,
With pike, sabre and musketoon,
Quick as a flash I had her all in order.

What will they say of the great big tub,
In Brest, in London, and in Bordeaux,
That let its crew be taken
By a privateer with six cannon,
When it had thirty-six good ones!