Bellfast mountains (Peterhead)/The second of August

THE SECOND OF AUGUST.

On the ſecond day of auguſt,
⁠Eighteen hundred and one,
As we ſailed with Lord Nelſon,
⁠to the ports of Toulon
For to cut out ſome ſhipping,
⁠which proved all in vain;
But to our miſfortune
⁠they were all moor'd by chain.

Our boats being well manned,
⁠by a eleven at night,
And ſent them into harbour
⁠not intending to fight;
But the grape from their batterys
⁠ſo ſmartly did play,
Nine hundred breve ſeamen
⁠kill'd and wounded their lay.

As we hoiſted our colours,
⁠and ſo boldly them ſpread,
With the Britiſh flag flying
⁠at the royal maſt head.
For the honour of old Scotland,
⁠we ſhould always remain;
While the bold Britiſh ſeamen,
⁠ploughs the watery main.

Expoſed to their firing,
⁠of our enemys we lay:
While ninety bright pieces
⁠of cannon did play
While many brave ſeamen.
⁠lay bleeding in their gore;
While the ſhot from their battery
⁠like thunder did roar.

Our noble commander,
⁠with his heart full of grief,
Uſed every endeavour
⁠to grant us relief.
No ſhip could aſſiſt us,
⁠ſo well as we know,
In this wounded condition
⁠we were toſſed to and fro

All you that relieves us,
⁠the Lord may you bleſs,
For relieving poor ſailors
⁠in the time of diſtreſs.
May he put an end
⁠to all cruel wars;
Then peace and contentment
⁠to all Britiſh Tars.