Hornblower's Gambit

[Verse 1] Oh, gather ‘round, ye sailors bold, And hear the tale I’ll spin, Of Hornblower, his valiant crew, And the fight they faced to win. With canvas torn and spars afire, The Indy made her stand, 'Gainst four grand ships o' Bonaparte, A demon’s cursed hand. [Chorus] Heave away, lads, brace the main! With a captain’s nerve, we’ll rise again. Through fire and shot, the guns did roar, Hornblower’s name will live evermore. [Verse 2] The mizzen snapped in the cannon’s wake, The wheel spun wild and free, Yet Hornblower stood with steady eye, A master of the sea. “Board to starboard, bring ‘em close, Load chain to splinter mast!” His orders flew, his men obeyed, For each feared it might be their last. [Chorus] Heave away, lads, brace the main! With a captain’s nerve, we’ll rise again. Through fire and shot, the guns did roar, Hornblower’s name will live evermore. [Bridge] The Frenchmen closed, a deadly tide, Their broadsides screamed with wrath, Yet Hornblower turned the Indy swift, And carved a daring path. A powder keg in their midst was laid, The chain of doom let fly, A single spark, a deaf’ning roar, Lit hell beneath the sky. [Chorus] Heave away, lads, brace the main! With a captain’s nerve, we’ll rise again. Through fire and shot, the guns did roar, Hornblower’s name will live evermore. [Outro] Now calm has kissed the battered deck, The enemy swept away. But for each cheer, a comrade missed, A price in blood we pay. Oh, Hornblower, his iron will, A legend ever true, For every wave and gale that calls, We’ll sing of him and crew.