"Come cheer up, my lads! 'tis to glory we steer, To add something more to this wonderful year; To honour we call you, as free men not slaves, For who are so free as the sons of the waves?"
— Unknown

January 1, 1970

Quote Details

Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Added on April 10, 2026
Unverified quote
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NaviesBritish Armed Forces
Original Language: English

Sources

David Garrick, author of the lyrics to the first verse of "Heart of Oak" in 1759, while the music was written by William Boyce. Originally written for the London stage, the song became quite popular and was subsequently adopted as the official quick march of the Royal Navy.