Ho! Raise the canvas, catch the breeze, Across Lake Erie's rolling seas! September sun and cannon's flame, Old Perry sailed to carve his name. The banners flew, the drums beat strong, Every heart became a song. **Heave away! Let the broadside roar!** **Don't give up the ship once more!** **Pull together, one and all,** **Stand your ground and never fall!** **Heave away! Let freedom ring!** **Hear Lake Erie proudly sing!** **Stars above and waves below—** **Forward, lads! Away we go!** *Lawrence* thundered through the smoke, Masts were torn and timbers broke. Still the blue flag rode on high: "Fight until the day we die!" Boat in hand through shot and spray, Perry crossed the deadly bay. **Heave away! Let the broadside roar!** **Don't give up the ship once more!** **Pull together, one and all,** **Stand your ground and never fall!** **Heave away! Let freedom ring!** **Hear Lake Erie proudly sing!** **Stars above and waves below—** **Forward, lads! Away we go!** Now aboard the proud *Niagara*, Every gun became a star. Straight he broke the British line, Iron, oak, and bold design. One by one their colors fell, Victory rang like chapel bells. Strike the colors! Cease the fight! Morning turned to freedom's light. Six were taken, every sail— None escaped the Yankee gale! **Heave away! Let the broadside roar!** **Don't give up the ship once more!** **All the fleet was ours that day,** **On Lake Erie won the way!** **"We have met the enemy!"** **"And they're ours!"—the victory!** **Raise your voices, loud and free—** **Perry's name sails every sea!** Ho! Wind and water, keep the tale, Carry it with every gale. Lake Erie still remembers well The day the Stars and Stripes prevailed!
