The Songs of England/Volume 1/Rule, Britannia!

by John Liptrot Hatton

For other versions of this work, see Rule, Britannia!.

Rule, Britannia!
	Dr. Arne. 1740.

1.

When Britain first, at Heav'n's command,
⁠Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
⁠And guardian angels sung this strain:
⁠"Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves;
⁠"Britons never will be slaves."

2.

The nations not so blest as thee,
⁠Must in their turn to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
⁠The dread and envy of them all.
⁠Rule, Britannia! &c.

3.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
⁠More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast, that tears the skies,
⁠Serves but to root thy native oak.
⁠Rule, Britannia! &c.

4.

Thee, haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
⁠All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy gen'rous flame,
⁠To work their woe, and thy renown.
⁠Rule, Britannia! &c.

5.

To thee belongs the rural reign;
⁠Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine, shall be the subject main,
⁠And every shore it circles, thine.
⁠Rule, Britannia! &c.

5.

The muses, still with freedom found,
⁠Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Blest Isle! with matchless beauty crown'd,
⁠And manly hearts to guard the fair.
⁠Rule, Britannia! &c.