TEMERAIRE

The Temeraire (temerity = daring, sometimes as far as recklessness) was one of the largest ships on the British side at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). She was immortalized in a later painting which showed her being towed down the Thames prior to being broken up.

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It was eight bells ringing,

For the morning watch was done,

And the gunner's lads were singing

As they polished every gun.

It was eight bells ringing,

And the gunner's lads were singing,

For the ship she rode a-swinging,

As they polished every gun.

Oh! to see the linstock lighting,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

Oh! to hear the round shot biting,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

Oh! to see the linstock lighting,

And to hear the round shot biting,

For we're all in love with fighting

On the fighting Téméraire.

It was noontide ringing,

And the battle just begun,

When the ship her way was winging,

As they loaded every gun.

It was noontide ringing,

When the ship her way was winging,

And the gunner's lads were singing

As they loaded every gun.

There'll be many grim and gory,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

There'll be few to tell the story,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

There'll be many grim and gory,

There'll be few to tell the story,

But we'll all be one in glory

With the Fighting Téméraire.

There's a far bell ringing

At the setting of the sun,

And a phantom voice is singing

Of the great days done.

There's a far bell ringing,

And a phantom voice is singing

Of renown for ever clinging

To the great days done.

Now the sunset breezes shiver,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

And she's fading down the river,

Téméraire! Téméraire!

Now the sunset's breezes shiver,

And she's fading down the river,

But in England's song for ever

She's the Fighting Téméraire.

Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938)

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