8
And in the space of twenty one minutes,
the action hot begun,
And after two or three broadsides,
foul of yard and yard we came.
Being broadside to broadside,
our cannons loud did roar,
While ninety five seamen and marines,
lay bleeding in their gore
Which causes many a widow
in Scotia for to mourn,
And many desolate mothers,
lamenting the first of June.
For the space of fifteen minutes,
this action it did hold.
All on the brimy ocean,
men never fought more bold.
The Americans we must confess
they did their valor shew,
But, the remainder of our ship’s company,
soon brought their colours low.
Great rejoicings were made in Boston,
their bells did loudly ring,
Expecting our commander and crew,
prisoners to be brought in.
But unto their misfortune,
we soon did let them know,
That the Chesapeake to the Shannon,
her colours had laid low.
FINIS.
