Lads in navy blue, The

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: