This battle, fought in the North Atlantic on August 2, 1812, between the American frigate Constitution, Captain Isaac Hull, and the British frigate Guerriere, Captain James R. Dacres, and one of consummate seamanship as well as fighting capacity on the part of Hull, was the theme of the best and most spirited song of the whole war; one which still keeps its place in the forecastle, and, it may be hoped, will keep it so long as Uncle Sam has a war-ship afloat. It is set to a very lively and emphatic air, called, indifferently, The Landlady of France and The Bandy-Legged Officer, from the coarsely comical words which George Colman the younger had written to it. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE GUERRIERE. It ofttimes has been told That the British sailors bold Could flog the tars of France so neat and handy, O. And they never found their match Till the Yankees did them catch. Oh, the Yankee boys for fighting are the dandy, O. The Guerriere, a frigate bold, On the foaming ocean rolled, Commanded by proud Dacres, the grandee, O. With choice of British crew, As ever rammer drew, They could flog the Frenchmen two to one so handy, O. When this frigate hove in view, Says proud Dacres to his crew, "Come, clear the ship for action, and be handy, O. To the weather-gage, boys, get her," And to make his men fight better Gave them to drink gunpowder in their brandy, O. Then Dacres loudly cries, "Make this Yankee ship your prize! You can in thirty minutes, neat and handy, O. Thirty-five's enough, I'm sure; And if you 'll do it in a score, I'll give you a double dose of brandy, O." The British shot flew hot, Which the Yankee answered not, Till they got within the distance they called handy, O. Now says Hull unto his crew, "Boys, let's see what we can do. If we take this boasting Briton, we 're the dandy, O." The first broadside we poured Carried their mainmast by the board, Which made the lofty frigate look abandoned, O. Then Dacres shook his head, And to his officers he said, "Lord! I did n't think these Yankees were so handy, O." Our second told so well That their fore and mizzen fell, Which doused the royal ensign so handy, O. "By George," says he, "we 're done!" And he fired a lee gun, While the Yankees struck up Yankee doodle dandy, O. Then Dacres came on board To deliver up his sword. Loath was he to part with it, it was so handy, O. "O, keep your sword," says Hull, "For it only makes you dull. So cheer up; let us take a little brandy, O." Come, fill your glasses full,