Lord Exmouth

Edward Pellew (1757-1833), born to a a Cornish family, ran away to sea at age 14 but rose to become a rear admiral in 1804. In 1816, he led an Anglo-Dutch fleet against the Barbary states, winning the Battle of Algiers after a two day bombardment, to secure the release of 1,200 mostly Italian and Spanish slaves. For this, he was created 1st Viscount Exmouth but on his retirement lived in Teignmouth.  The song we have may be an amalgam of sources collected by Percy Grainger in 1909 from the singing of Samuel Holdstock and by George Gardiner from David Marlow in Hampshire in 1906.  

Lord Exmouth

Come all you British men of war, that love your native land
Now we shall sail for victory, Lord Exmouth gives command
Lord Exmouth will your rights maintain, ss you shall quickly see
He fought like many lions bold, to set Algiers free

So come all you jolly tars and make ready
To defend your glorious name
And may you always have Lord Exmouth bold
To lead you over the main

On the twenty seventh of August, just by the break of day
We spied the city of Algiers, to windward of us she lay
All hands, all hands to quarters, it was the general cry
Come load your guns with round and grape, before we draw too nigh

Chorus

Now here’s one thing I should relate, which is to be admired
At five o clock in the afternoon, as Lord Exmouth did desire
Our rocket ships and gun ships, so well their part did play
The defenders from their batteries, were forced to flee away

Chorus

Now with this verse I’ll finish, and completely end my song
Here’s a health to dear Lord Exmouth, and may his days be long
Now that we’ved served in glory, let’s take a cup of wine
And you can drink to your true love, and I can drink to mine

Chorus