Hello from across "the Pond"

FozZ · Hello from across "the Pond"

Good day folks.
I am a currently serving, soon to retire, Musician with the Canadian Navy here in Halifax, NS. I've been searching the Web and various Archives for the "correct and original" words to Heart of Oak. It's always been a topic of heated "discussion" over here. I've signed up on your forum to tap into those closest to the Source. So far I've found about 6 different versions, none of which offer any hard evidence of being "the One" penned by David Garrick. Any chance one of you could get me a copy of the words used Officially by the Royal Marines? Or at least point me to where I can locate a copy (use the more socially accepted digit to point with please)

I'd appreciate any and all help...

Cheers...
Wayne

RAB

Hi Wayne, and welcome to the Forum, from all at this side of 'The Pond'..

Regarding your request, I can't quite remember the words of Heart of Oak, but by process of elimination I'm sure we'll get there.

This version has many errors...

http://www.contemplator.com/england/heartoak.html

..as well as some rather 'interesting' chords

FozZ

Thanks RAB, that's one of the versions I'd found. I appreciate for your time and efforts. I'm sure "we'll get there..." at some point.

Thanks again.
Wayne
Stadacona Band
www.stadband.ca
Halifax, NS Canada

Pusser

Heart of Oak

Come, cheer up, my lads, ‘tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, not press you like slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

Heart of oak are our ships, heart of oak are our men,
We always are ready;
Steady boys, steady!
We’ll fight and we’ll conquer again and again.

We ne’er see our foes but we wish them to stay,
They never see us but they wish us away;
If they run, why we follow, and run them ashore,
And if they won’t fight us, we cannot do more.

Heart of oak &c.

Still Britain shall triumph, her ships plough the sea,
Her standard be justice, her watchword “Be free,”
Then cheer up, my lads, with one heart let us sing,
Our soldiers, our sailors, our statemen and King.

Heart of oak, &c.

This from News Chronicle Song Book an old and very reliable source of lyrics and melodies.

Words to Heart of Oak by David Garrick. Tune by Boyce.

FozZ

Thanks Pusser...
Once again, another version. It's starting to look like I'll have to take the all the verses I like and make my own.

It will be interesting to see how many other versions show up.

Thank you Sir, much appreciated.

Wayne

lesbryan

First of all welcome fozz
.
here is what i think

Come cheer up my lads, it's to glory we steer
To add something more to this wonderful year
To honor we call you, as free men, not slaves
For who are so free as the sons of the waves

Heart of oak are our ships
Heart of oak are our men
We always are ready
Steady, boys, steady
We'll fight and we'll conquer, again and again

Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer
To climates unknown did courageously steer
Through oceans to deserts, for freedom they came
And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame

townsergeant

Any help here?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Oak

RAB

If you're piecing together your own version FozZ, you may want to include this verse and chorus, which ALLEGEDLY describe the behaviour of our nautical buddies in my era..

Come cheer up me lads 'tis to Singers we steer,
To scoff nasi goreng and drink Tiger beer,
'Tis to Bugis we call you as free men not slaves
For tattoos and and warpaint like old Injun braves

Hard to smoke, are our fags,
Jolly Jack are our men,
We seldom are steady,
Sober, dressed or ready,
We,ll fight with other matelots
Again and again..

General Melchett

If it's any help I'll get a copy from work that is sung on Trafalgar Night. Won't be before Monday though!

Eff

Here's a version we've had printed in sing-a-long wardroom pieces;

Come cheer up my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
to add something new to this wonderful year,
to honour we call you, not to prees you as slaves,
for who are so free as the sons of the waves?

Heart of Oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men,
we always are ready: Steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

We'll make them fear and we'll make them flee,
and drub them on shore as we've drubbed them at sea.
Then cheer up my lads, with one heart let us sing,
our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, our Queen.

Chorus

I don't know how correct this version is, as it doesn't seem to scan very well! Hope it helps!

FozZ

H of O it seems is an ever evolving work in progress.

General Melchett: No rush, But I look forward to it.

If nothing else I'll have quite a collection.

Thank you all very much.

(have to look for a Bass Trombone emoticon)

MrJpig

Welcome FozZ. Here's a trombone section to end all trombone sections............from another Blue Band....

http://www.blueband.psu.edu/roster/roster.php?s=Trombone

you could have used this one

but a similar one is used by another Bass trombonist|||

Pusser

Fozz,

I'd stick with David Garrick if I were you. Good place to put your money.

As a point of interest songs we all know - or think we know - often raise controversy. Take, for instance, the hymn Eternal Father. The Booties, with typical arrogance I might add, have changed some of the words to fit nicely with what they think fits in with Royal Marines culture. Trouble is the word wizard who wrote them did not do much of a job and they barely fit together. Bit embarrassing really.

H of O gets used for some Wardroom fun with the smallie orch in the corner scratching away while those dining sing from a sheet written up by the youngest Snotty because the Commander told him to. It is a success, passes to legend and becomes the 'official' version several years later when a Steward blows the dust off some old Wardroom files. Even heard a version once describing a certain member as having a heart of oak...........I could wish at my age.

DG, he's your man and he did, according to the News Chronicle, write only three verses.

FozZ

There's another tidbit I didn't know, Garrick only wrote 3 verses. That will help considerably. Thanks Pusser.

MrJpig:
Based on the 'bone section, that's one heck of a big band. I did a parade in Virginia some years ago, they put our 35 piece band in between two 200+ university bands. Was quite a day...

I won't be responding to any further posts until Monday. Stad Band is on the road for a short Concert tour.

See you folks when I return.

Cheers!

RAB

FozZ

Took me longer to get back here than I thought. Just want to say Thanks one more time for all the responses and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.