The Boatswains Call; OR, The Courageous Mariners Invitation to all his Brother Sailors, to forsake Friends and Relations, for to fight in the defence of their King and Country.  
To the Tune of, King of Gold.  
Licencsed according to Order.  
 
 

STout Seamen come away,  
never be daunted;  
For if at home you stay,  
then is it granted  
The Fleet can never be  
Manned for the Ocean,  
To Fight the Enemy,  
and gain Promotion.   

Lewis that Christian- TURK,  
makes preparation;  
His Engines are at work  
in Consultation,  
Thinking to Ruin quite  
all Christian Princes;  
But we their wrongs will right,  
at Life's expenses.   

The Mighty force of France,  
we never value  
For when we once advance,  
we will not dally:  
But on the Ocean wide,  
(through blessed permission)  
We'll soon subdue their Pride,  
and grand Ambition.   

Therefore with Courage bold,  
Boys, le's us venture,  
Like noble hearts of Gold,  
now freely enter  
Your names on Board the Fleet,  
all Friends forsaking,  
That we may soon Conpleat  
this undertaking.   

Is it not that the Land,  
might be defended.  
By a Victorious hand,  
tho' France intended  
To lay a heavy Yoke,  
on a free Nation;  
Boys let a fatal stroke,  
prove their vexation.   

But yet my thinks I hear  
some Cowards crying,  
The Press they dread and fear,  
as much as dying:  
And sculk like frighted Slaves,  
here in distraction,  
To hide in Dens and Caves,  
from Warlike Action.   

Yet some declare they'd fight,  
but a dear Mother,  
Who counts him her delight,  
above all other;  
She loves him as her Life,  
parting would grieve her,  
Another has a Wife,  
he's loath to leave her.   

Thus Cowards they can find  
excuses many,  
To tarry here behind,  
yet there's not any  
Right valiant Noble Soul  
heeds a Relation.  
He'll fight against Control  
for this his Nation.   

Has not Men wished and cried,  
a war with France, Boys,  
That on the Ocean wide  
we may advance, Boys,  
To storm and shake their throne,  
no danger fearing;  
This has been still their Tone,  
oft in my hearing.   

Where are those Heroes now  
those sons of thunder.  
That would make Lewis bow,  
and bring him under?  
Your wishes now you have,  
France is the Centre,  
Like Seamen stout and brave,  
Boys, freely venture.   

In a fight fierce and hot,  
once was I wounded;  
We received showers of shot  
being surrounded;  
Yet I again will go,  
and scorn to hide me,  
I'll face the daring foe,  
what e'er betid me.   

He that has been in fight,  
fears not another,  
He leaves with much delight  
Father and Mother,  
To embrace those true joys,  
which men admire,  
We can be merry Boys,  
in Smoke and Fire.   

If we the Conquest gain,  
that brings promotion,  
If we by chance are slain,  
than the wide Ocean,  
Shall be our watery Tomb  
near Neptune's Palace,  
This Boys, shall be our Doom  
in spite of Malice.    

Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.