Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

The Veteran Tar

SPLIT my seams! ’tis no time for a seaman to shy,

And to stand shilly-shally on shore;

Let a shark seize his hulk who would go to deny

His support to the old commodore!

Gallant old commodore,

Tough old commodore,

Hardy old commodore, he—

Let a shark seize his hulk who would go to deny

His support to the old commodore!

When War blew a gale, and his thunder’s alarm

Bade the top-lights of Hope shine no more;

Would you know who contended, my lads, with the storm?

Do you see, ’twas the old commodore!

Gallant old commodore,

Tough old commodore,

Hardy old commodore, he—

Would you know who contended, my lads, with the storm?

Do you see, ’twas the old commodore.

Douse my glim! hardy tars, here’s old Truxtun—a berth

The hero shall have on the shore;

The freemen he honour’d shall honour his worth,

And support still the old commodore.

Gallant old commodore,

Tough old commodore,

Hardy old commodore, he—

The freemen he honour’d shall honour his worth,

And support still the old commodore.

The insurgents he tickled, and then taught our foes

With a vengeance their fate to deplore:

He axes our aid—no insurgents oppose

With a vengeance the old commodore!

Gallant old commodore,

Tough old commodore,

Hardy old commodore, he—

He axes our aid—no insurgents oppose

With a vengeance the old commodore!

The main-brace we’ll splice, and our glasses we’ll fill,

Till the stingo, my boys, shall run o’er;

Here’s our navy and Truxtun—and heartily still

We’ll support, lads, the old commodore!

Gallant old commodore,

Tough old commodore,

Hardy old commodore, he—

Here’s our navy and Truxtun—and heartily still

We’ll support, lads, the old commodore!