Late 18th century song adopted as the anthem of the British Royal Navy. There are a few versions
on the internet but these chords I've worked out seem to fit more with how I remember it from
school?
Intro = D G C G C G D G
Verse 1
G C G
Come cheer up my lads 'tis to glory we steer
C G C G
To add something more to this wonderful year
G D G D
To honour we call you as freemen not slaves
G D A D
For who are so free as the sons of the waves
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again
Verse 2
G C G
We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay
C G C G
They never see us but they wish us away
G D G D
If they run why we follow and run them ashore
G D A D
For if they won't fight us we cannot do more
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again
Verse 3
G C G
They swear they'll invade us these terrible foes
C G C G
They frighten women children and beaus
G D G D
But should their flat bottoms in darkness get o'er
G D A G
Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again
Verse 4
G C G
We'll still make them fear and we'll still make them flee
C G C G
And drub 'em on shore as we've drubb'd 'em at sea
G D G D
Then cheer up my lads with one heart let us sing
G D A D
Our soldiers our sailors our statesmen our King
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again
Verse 5
G C G
We'll still make 'em run and we'll still make 'em sweat
C G C G
In spite of the Devil and Brussels Gazette
G D G D
Then cheer up my lads with one heart let us sing
G D A D
Our soldiers our sailors our statesmen our King
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again
Verse 6
G C G
Britannia triumphant her ships rule the seas
C G C G
Her watch word is 'Justice' her password is 'Free'
G D G D
So come cheer up my lads with one heart let us sing
G D A D
Our soldiers our sailors our statesmen our king
Chorus
D G
Heart of oak are our ships jolly tars are our men
Em C G D G
We always are ready steady boys steady
Em G D G
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again