This British patriotic song, originating from a poem by James Thomson, was set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740.  First heard in London in 1745, it achieved instant popularity. It is strongly associated with the Royal Navy, but also used by the British Army.

Rule Britannia

When Britain fi-i-irst, at heaven's command,

Aro-o-o-o-ose from out the a-a-a-zure main,

Arose, arose from out the azure main,

This was the charter, the charter of the land,

And guardian a-a-angels sang this strain:

Rule Britannia!

Britannia rule the waves

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Rule Britannia!

Britannia rule the waves.

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The nations, no-o-o-o-ot so blest as thee,

Must i-i-i-i-in their turn, to ty-y--yrants fall,

Must in their turn, to ty-y-rants fall,

While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free,

The dread and e-e-e-e-nvy of them all.

Chorus

Still more maje-e-estic shalt thou rise,

More dre-e-e-e-eadful from each foreign stroke,

More dreadful, dreadful from each foreign stroke,

Loud blast above us, loud blast that tears the skies

Serves but to ro-o-o-ot thy native oak.

Chorus

The Exmouth Shanty Men are proud to be associated with