Drake's Drum

Drake's Drum

Original Text
Henry Newbolt, Poems: New and Old (London: John Murray, 1912): 16-17. PR 5103.N4A17 Robarts Library
1Drake he's in his hammock an' a thousand mile away,
2    (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?),
3Slung atween the round shot in Nombre Dios Bay,
4    An' dreamin' arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe.
5Yarnder lumes the Island, yarnder lie the ships,
6    Wi' sailor lads a dancin' heel-an'-toe,
7An' the shore-lights flashin', an' the night-tide dashin',
8    He sees et arl so plainly as he saw et long ago.
9Drake he was a Devon man, an' ruled the Devon seas,
10    (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?),
11Rovin' tho' his death fell, he went wi' heart at ease,
12    An' dreamin' arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe.
13"Take my drum to England, hang et by the shore,
14    Strike et when your powder's runnin' low;
15If the Dons sight Devon, I'll quit the port o' Heaven,
16    An' drum them up the Channel as we drummed them long ago."
17Drake he's in his hammock till the great Armadas come,
18    (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?),
19Slung atween the round shot, listenin' for the drum,
20    An' dreamin' arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe.
21Call him on the deep sea, call him up the Sound,
22    Call him when ye sail to meet the foe;
23Where the old trade's plyin' an' the old flag flyin'
24    They shall find him ware an' wakin', as they found him long ago!
Publication Start Year
1897
Publication Notes
Admirals All and other verses (1897).
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2009
Rhyme
Form