Spanish Ladies

‘Spanish Ladies’ is a traditional British naval song, typically describing a voyage from Spain to the Downs from the viewpoint of ratings of the Royal Navy. It was probably created between 1793-1796 when the Navy carried supplies to Spain to support them in their resistance to France.

Farewell and adieu, to you Spanish Ladies

Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain

For we’ve received orders to sail for old England

But we hope very soon we shall see you again

 

We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors

We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt seas

Until we strike soundings in the Channel of Old England

From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues

 

We hove our ship to, with the wind at sou-west boys

We hove our ship to, our soundings to see

We rounded and sounded got forty five fathoms

Then we squared our mainyard and up channel steered we

(Chorus)

 

The next land we made, it was called ‘The Deadman’

Next Rame Head off Plymouth, off Portland the Wight

Then we sailed by Beachy, By Fairlee and Dungeness

‘Til we came abreast of the South Foreland  light

(Chorus)

 

Then the signal was made for the Grand Fleet to anchor

All in the Downs that night for to lay

Then it’s stand by your stoppers, steer clear your shank painters

Haul up your clew garnets, let tacks and sheets fly

(Chorus)

 

So let every one drink up a full bumper

And let every one drink up a full glass

We’ll drink and be merry and drown melancholy

Singing, here’s a good health to each true hearted lass

(Chorus)