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William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

Five to One; or, Hotham’s Victory

  • Scene on board the admiral’s ship—Hotham surrounded by his officers and crew, who come forward and sing the following:


  • COME, all ye noble host,

    Britannia’s pride and boast,

    Let’s drink our noble prince’s health, in brandy, O!

    For as soon as he gets this,

    He’ll be drunk enough—with bliss:

    And swear that we for fighting are the dandy, O!

    We may all dance and jig it,

    Now we’ve got a Yankee frigate,

    And every one shall say we did it handy, O!

    For the Endymion and Despatch,

    To be sure she was a match;

    But five of us together was the dandy, O!

    We’ve not waited for dark nights,

    And assistance from Blue Lights!

    In vain; and as sure as ever lived Tristram Shandy, O!

    Every circumstance conspired

    To aid what we desired;

    And “the blunder of the pilots” was the dandy, O!

    No matter what she cost,

    Nor how many lives we’ve lost;

    The news will be to Britain sweet as candy, O!

    Fat aldermen will dine,

    Bells ring, and windows shine;

    For if we can catch a Yankee ’tis the dandy, O!

    The Tower guns, how they’ll rattle,

    To celebrate this battle,

    And votes of thanks are ours as sure as can be, O!

    Though only two made fight,

    ’Cause the squadron was in sight,

    And a razee and three frigates was the dandy, O!

    Now we’ve the way found out,

    Such rare feats are brought about,

    To take down a saucy Yankee’s stripes, so handy, O!

    When permitted by the weather,

    We’ll all stick close together,

    And when caught alone, to run will be the dandy, O!

    Then let’s toast our noble prince,

    Who forty long years since,

    Has set the example bright in brandy, O!

    This news will raise the head

    Of his sire—if he is not dead!

    Who so oft has hobbled Yankee doodle dandy, O!