When this frigate hove in view, Says proud Dacres to his crew, "Come clear ship for action and be handy, oh! To the weather gage, boys, get her," And to make his men fight better, Gave them to drink gun-powder mixed with brandy, oh! Then Dacres loudly cries, "Make this Yankee ship your prize, You can in thirty minutes, neat and handy, oh! Twenty-five's enough I'm sure, And if you'll do it in a score, I'll treat you to a double share of brandy, oh!" The British shot flew hot, Which the Yankees answered not, Till they got within the distance they called handy, oh! "Now," says Hull unto his crew, "Boys, let's see what we can do, If we take this boasting Briton we're the dandy, oh!" The first broadside we pour'd Carried her mainmast by the board, Which made this loftly frigate look abandon'd, oh! Then Dacres shook his head, And to his officers said, "Lord! I didn't think those Yankees were so handy, oh!" Our second told so well That their fore and mizzen fell, Which dous'd the Royal ensign neat and handy, oh! "By George!" says he, "we're done," And they fired a lee gun, While the Yankees struck up Yankee Doodle Dandy, oh! Then Dacres came on board, To deliver up his sword, Tho' loth was he to part with it, it was so handy, oh! "Oh keep your sword," says Hull, "For it only makes you dull, "Cheer up and take a little drink of brandy, oh!" Now, fill your glasses full, And we'll drink to Captain Hull, And so merrily we'll push about the brandy, oh! John Bull may toast his fill, But let the world say what they will, The Yankee boys for fighting are the dandy, oh! [Illustration] THE "UNITED STATES" AND "MACEDONIAN." (Action 25 of October, 1812.) How glows each patriot bosom that boasts a Yankee heart, To emulate such glorious deeds and nobly take a part; When sailors with their thund'ring guns, Prove to the English, French, and Danes That Neptune's chosen fav'rite sons Are brave Yankees boys. The twenty-fifth of October, that glorious happy day, When we beyond all precedent, from Britons bore the sway,-- 'Twas in the ship _United States_, Four and forty guns the rates, That she should rule, decreed the Fates, And brave Yankee boys. Decatur and his hardy tars were cruising on the deep, When off the Western Islands they to and fro did sweep, The _Macedonian_ they espied, "Huzza! bravo!" Decatur cried, "We'll humble Britain's boasted pride, My brave Yankee boys."