As We Were a - Sailing

As we were a sailing unto the Spanish shore

The drums they did beat me boys and loud cannons did roar

We spied our lofty enemy come sailing down the main

Which has caused us to hoist our topsails again

Our captain says be ready, oh he says me boys stand true

To face the Spanish enemy we lately did pursue

To face the Spanish enemy lay 'long the ocean wide

And without a good protection boys we'll take the first broadside

Oh broadside to broadside to battle then we went

To sink one another it was our intent

The very second broadside our captain he got slain

And his damsel she stood up in his place to command

We fought for four hours, four hours so severe

We scarcely had one man aboard of our ship that could steer

We scarcely had one man aboard could fire off a gun

And the blood from our deck like a river did run

For quarter, for quarter! those Spanish lads did cry

No quarter, no quarter! this damsel did reply

You've had the best quarter that I can afford

You must sink or swim me boys or jump overboard

So now the battle's over we'll take a glass of wine

And you must drink to your own true love as I do to mine

Good health unto this damsel who fought all on the main

And here's to the royal gallant ship, the Rainbow by name