Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight, for to fight
Brave Benbow he set sail for to fight
Brave Benbow he set sail
In a keen and pleasant gale
But his captains they turned tail
In a fright, in a fright.

Says Kirby unto Wade, ‘We will run, we will run
Says Kirby unto Wade, ‘We will run
‘For I value no disgrace
‘Nor the losing of my place
‘But the enemy I won’t face,
‘Nor his gun, nor his gun.’

The Ruby and Benbow fought the French, fought the French
The Ruby and Benbow fought the French
They fought them up and down
Till the blood come trickling down
Till the blood come trickling down
Where they lay, where they lay.

Brave Benbow lost his legs by chain-shot, by chain-shot
Brave Benbow lost his legs by chain-shot
Brave Benbow lost his legs
And all on his stumps he begs,
‘Fight on, my English lads,
‘’Tis our lot, ’tis our lot.’

The surgeon dressed his wounds, cried Benbow, cried Benbow
The surgeon dressed his wounds, cried Benbow
‘Let the cradle now in haste
‘On the quarter deck be placed
‘That the enemy I may face
‘Till I die, till I die.’