Oh as we were sailing down by the Spanish shore Where the drums they did beat and the large cannons did roar There we spied a lofty army go bearing over the main Oh which causes us to hoist up our topmost sail again Oh our captain says be ready oh he says my boys stand true To face the Spanish army we lately did pursue Oh to face the Spanish army lay long the ocean wide And without our good protection boys we'll take the first broadside There was broadside to broadside the vessels o'er they went For sinking one another it was their full intent And the very second broadside our captain he got slain And a damsel jumped in his place to give command again Oh they fought for nearly four hours for four hours or more
Till we had scarce a man on board our gallant ship to steer Till we had scarce a man on board to fire off a gun While the blood far o'er our decks like a river it did run Oh for quarters for quarters the Spanish boys did cry You've had the best of quarters the damsel did reply You've had the best of quarters that e'er we can afford You must fight sink or swim me boys or jump overboard And so now the war is over and we'll take a gla** of wine You can drink to your true love and I will drink to mine And here's a health unto that damsel who fought all on the main Oh she has a royal gallant ship and The Rainbow's her name