When Britain first, at heaven's command, Arose from out the azure main, Arose, arose from out the azure main, This was the charter, the charter of the land, And Guardian 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 not so blest as thee Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall, Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall, While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free: The dread and envy of them all. 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.