LORD NELSON

Lord Nelson lay plotting his battle to run
and called up his officers and masters of his gun
Now England expects all men the Admiral did say
To do of their duty and win forth this day.

Lord Nelson stood watching the heat of the fight
Resplendant in his blue and gold braid so bright
On high at Trafalgar a French sniper aimed
And Nelson was hit and mortally maimed

Lord Nelson lay dying and on his deathbed
Called for his officers and to Hardy this he said
Fate has come calling, tis kismet you know
But my eyes grow dim so soon I must go.

Lord Nelson they laid in a barrel of rum
And long in his memory sailors sing this anthem
With a drink to his boldness and tough discipline
Then one more for luck and one more for each win.

Lord Nelson still lives with each swig of the grog
When mainsails are hoisted by each salty old sea dog.
They sing up his courage with a rousing hussar
'Cos just like them he was a Jack Tar.

follow with shanty - a  Drop of Nelson's Blood

Oct 21 1805  Nelson died.  When they brought officers' bodies home, which was conferred on dignantories, they were preserved in rum barrels, topped-up with the liquour.  Hence the sailors' name for the sauce.  The standard issue rum was a fairly sweet syrup so both sugar and alcohol acted to prevent decay.  
The Kymin, above Monmouth has a pavilion and obelisk built (1802) as a tribute to sailors which by popular consensus is regarded as Nelsons monument.  The town museum specialises in  the Admiral's memorabilia.

http://cresby.com   words & music © CRESBY Nov 1997