They go in great numbers from their ships to Sheerness
in all the pomp of parade.
Long have they laboured to find themselves men.
Have they not a right to complain?
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
From the masts of their barges red flags are flying
as they take to the ramparts and the streets.
Their heads are embellished with blue paper saying:
"Success to the Delegates of the Fleet."
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
Contagions that can't be cured on board
The faith of the nation must be restored
Far from the thought of subverting their sovereign
and his government's beloved country,
their endeavours depend on the laws of humanity,
honour and national safety.
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
---
source:
in all the pomp of parade.
Long have they laboured to find themselves men.
Have they not a right to complain?
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
From the masts of their barges red flags are flying
as they take to the ramparts and the streets.
Their heads are embellished with blue paper saying:
"Success to the Delegates of the Fleet."
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
Contagions that can't be cured on board
The faith of the nation must be restored
Far from the thought of subverting their sovereign
and his government's beloved country,
their endeavours depend on the laws of humanity,
honour and national safety.
The Floating Republic
Ho-howa-hey-howa-hey-ho-har
Ho-howa-hey-ho-har
---
source:
'The Floating Republic: An Account of the Mutinies at Spithead and the Nore in 1797' by G.E. Mainwaring