Hearts of Oak

"Heart of Oak" is a well known song in the English world, being noted as the fleetsong of many Engleriks and a woldersong for Englefolk all over. It was the brainchild of David Garrick, who wrote the words to soon crafted by William Boyce and was first shown to the world in a great playwork in 1760. It herries the syes of that year against England's foes during the Seven Years' War (1756—1763) and became folkcouth owing to further syes in that same war. It is a proud song and sung to stir Englekin into a ree of asitheship.

The oversetting shown on this leaf was crafted by Reverend Bylance in 1809, as a 'new draught' of the song.

= Song Words = Leethwork by David Garrick New wording by Reverend Bylance Oversetting by Blodcyning and William Hurst

(Erst Row) When Alfred our king drove the Dane from this land, He seeded an oak with his own kingly hand, And he for heaven to hallow the tree As a for England the queen of the sea. (Eftrime) Hearts of oak are our ships, Merry tars are our men. We always are ready, steady boys, steady. We fight and we again and again! (Twoth Row) The sapling shot up and stuck fast to the ground, Withstood all that bellowed and wound! And still was it seen then with fresh starkness to shoot When the blood of our had wettened its root. (Third Row) But the worms of sullying had eaten their way Through bark till a wardle had swept them away! He has sworn no such our tree shall give rest And our kinfolk soon shall have uprooted the nest. (Fourth Row) whose lowly Europe bemoans Yon brood of who sit on her thrones! Shall look on our homeland and shall shiver with awe Where a son of the has bowed to the law. (Fifth Row) Now long live the Engle, who to make thrive The heartmood which Engles seld felt was alive! And his name shall be carved while of freedom we sing On the oak that was seeded by Alfred our king!