Ironsides

Ay, tear her tattered ensign down! Long has it waved on high, And many an eye has danced to see That banner in the sky; Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon's roar The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more! Her deck, once red with heroes' blood Where knelt the vanquished foe, When winds were hurrying o'er the flood And waves were white below, No more shall feel the victor's tread, Or know the conquered knee The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea! Give the glory of the waves To Old Iron Sides Hail the guardian of the sea Our old Iron Sides Let her legacy live on O, better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave; Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave; Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every thread-bare sail, And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale! Give the glory of the waves To Old Iron Sides Hail the guardian of the sea Our old Iron Sides Give the glory of the waves To Old Iron Sides Hail the guardian of the sea Our old Iron Sides Let her legacy live on