[Intro – spoken dramatically] ¡Olé! ¡Olé! The sun was burning over Santiago Bay, The Spanish fleet prepared to sail away… But nobody had warned the Americans About one very dangerous man. [Verse 1] Cervera raised his telescope, “Gentlemen, we must flee! The Yankees have their battleships, And soon they'll come for me!” The cruisers steamed into the bay, The cannons started to roar, But somewhere on a Spanish ship Alasdair cried: “¡Adelante! Once more!” [Chorus] ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! The Rammer of Santiago! He doesn't care for guns or shells, He only wants your cargo! ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! With courage, speed and style! If shooting doesn't sink the foe, Then RAM him from a mile! [Verse 2] Cristóbal Colón sailed proudly, The Vizcaya on her right, But Alasdair looked across the waves And saw his target bright. “Is that the enemy?” “No, sir — that's our friend!” “I know… but I have full steam on, So this is where we end!” [Chorus] ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! The Spanish fleet cried “NO!” He turned his ship towards Vizcaya — And BANG! — down she had to go! David watched his cruiser sink, His face became quite pale: “Alasdair, that's our bloody ship!” “Ah… yes. A slight detail.” [Verse 3] But Alasdair was not upset, He had another plan: He saw the mighty USS Indiana And thought, “Now there's a man!” He swung the Colón hard to port, The Yankee tried to flee, “¡Olé! You cannot escape me, For ramming is my speciality!” [Chorus] ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! The Rammer of the fleet! He missed the Indiana beautifully, Then found another treat! The Iowa came into his sights, A perfect target, aye! He rammed her with tremendous force — But somehow she survived! [Bridge – dramatic flamenco guitar] ¡Olé! One cruiser lost, One battleship bruised, Two torpedo boats confused! The Spanish guns were mostly shy, But Alasdair would never try… …to waste ammunition! [Verse 4] Meanwhile the Yankees blasted ships, With shells and smoke and flame, The Spanish fleet was falling fast — But Alasdair stayed the same. “Give me another battleship! Give me a cruiser too! I have not finished ramming yet — There is still work to do!” Cervera cried, “Retreat at once!” The officers all ran. But Alasdair simply raised his sword: “Another target, señors! Another target, man!” [Final Chorus] ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! The terror of the sea! He sank the ships of his own side And damaged one for free! ¡Ay, Alasdair! ¡Ay, Alasdair! The Yankees won the day, But when they saw the Colón turn round They shouted: “RUN AWAY!” [Outro – spoken and shouted] ¡Olé! ¡Olé! The Spanish fleet was doomed, The harbour filled with smoke and wrecks, The Caribbean Sea was fumed. But history will long remember That glorious day of war: When Alasdair went to Santiago And discovered what a ram is for! ¡OLÉ! ¡OLÉ! ¡RAM! ¡RAM! ¡RAM!
