Poem by Henry Newbolt

Drake's Drum

DRAKE he's in his hammock an' a thousand miles away,
    (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?) 
Slung atween the round shot in Nombre Dios Bay,
    An' dreamin' arl the time O' Plymouth Hoe. 
Yarnder lumes the Island, yarnder lie the ships,
    Wi' sailor lads a-dancing' heel-an'-toe, 
An' the shore-lights flashin', an' the night-tide dashin',
    He see et arl so plainly as he saw et long ago.

Drake he was a Devon man, an' ruled the Devon seas,
    (Capten, art tha' sleepin' there below?) 
Roving' tho' his death fell, he went wi' heart at ease,
    A' dreamin' arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe. 
"Take my drum to England, hang et by the shore,
    Strike et when your powder's runnin' low; 
If the Dons sight Devon, I'll quit the port o' Heaven,
    An' drum them up the Channel as we drumm'd them long ago."

Drake he's in his hammock till the great Armadas come,
    (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?) 
Slung atween the round shot, listenin' for the drum,
    An' dreamin arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe. 
Call him on the deep sea, call him up the Sound,
    Call him when ye sail to meet the foe; 
Where the old trade's plyin' an' the old flag flyin'
    They shall find him ware and wakin', as they found him long ago!

1. Northumberland
2. The Quarter-Gunner's Yarn
3. The Non-Combatant
4. The School at War
5. Commemoration

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