| AKA | The boys in navy blue It’s the Navy, the British Navy Jack the sailor |
| First Published | 1899 |
| Writer/composer | Harry Dacre | Roud | RN13653 |
| Music Hall Performers | Arthur Reece |
| Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Dunn, George; England, Staffordshire; 1971 Pardon, Walter; England Norfolk; 1978 |
From sheet music held at Trove, National Library of Australia The lads in Navy Blue Words and music by Harry Dacre Sing a song in praise of Jack the sailor, Sing a song about the jolly tar. Why not boast of them that guard the coast? Right proud of them we are. Must we always sing of Tommy Atkins? Not one word for Jack? When on land he makes a mighty stand And beats the foeman back. Why in our glory do we tower? What is the secret of our power? It is the navy, the British navy That keeps our foes at bay. Our old song, 'Britannia rules the waves', We still can sing today. We've got a navy, a fighting navy, Our neighbours know that's true, For it keeps them in their place, for they know they'd have to face The lively little lads in navy blue! Years ago, when serving for their country, British tars have met our many foes. How Jack fought, in vict'ries dearly bought, Our history plainly shows. What we did in glorious days of Nelson England still can do. Hearts of Oak still scorn the foreign yoke: The old song still holds true! Why in our glory do we tower? What is the secret of our power? Sailor Jack has gain'd a reputation, Folks declare his love is only sport. Evil minds believe a sailor finds A wife in ev'ry port. Ladies, I beseech you, don't believe it. Jack can faithful be; He never swerves the mistress that he serves, His mistress is the sea! Why in our glory do we tower? What is the secret of our power?
A number of jingoistic songs were written and performed in response to the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, a brutal conflict fought to defend the right of the British Empire to rule in southern Africa, and in particular to access the diamonds and gold found there. Many focused on the exploits of Tommy Atkins, but this one praised the role of the British Navy.
The sheet music was sold to raise money for the widows and orphans of the conflict.
The song has been collected from the singing of George Dunn under the title Jack the Sailor and from the singing of Walter Pardon under its original title
A contemporary recording:
The tune reproduced mechanically :
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3A13653
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and Sheet Music: Trove and personal collection.
- Sleevenotes for Musical Traditions’ CD George Dunn: Chainmaker (MTCD317-8)
Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: April 30, 2021
