Come all my brisk young seaman lads that have a mind to enter
On board a famous frigate your precious lives to venture,
On board a famous frigate she's Richard called by name,
And she's cruising with the Shannon all on the French main.
Singing "What Cheer O!"

Now we'd not been sailing many leagues before we did espy
Three lofty sails to windward, they came bearing down so nigh.
And two of them were merchantmen came bowling from the west,
But the convoy was a frigate that did sail out of Brest.
Singing "What Cheer O!"

Now we bore down upon them with high and lofty sails;
For broadside for broadside we soon o'er them prevailed
When he lashed his helm o' weather, not thinking we could fly.
When they found their ship was sinking for quarter they did cry.
Singing "What Cheer O!"

Now we launched out our longboats and the others did likewise,
To save all those prisoners that ever we came nigh.
And those which we saved, they vow and protest
We sunk the finest frigate that did sail out of Brest.
Singing "What Cheer O!"

So come all my brisk young fellows now to Kingston we have got;
Let each of a hearty fellow drink out of a hearty pot,
For some unto their sweethearts and others to their wives.
So we'll sing Hallelujah to all England, my brave boys.
Singing "What Cheer O!"