Verse 1:
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An American frigate the 'Richard' by name
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Mounting guns forty-four, from New York she came.
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For to cruise in the channel of old England's fame
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With a noble commander, Paul Jones was his name.
Verse 2:
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We had not sailed far before two sails we spied
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A stout forty-four and a twenty likewise,
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And forty bold shippin', all laden with store,
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As the convoy stood in for the old Yorkshire shore.
Verse 3:
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Our brave Captain Jones, to his men he did say:
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'Let ev'ryman fight a good battle today.
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We'll take that bold convoy in the height of her pride,
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'Fore the Richard shall founder and sink in the tide.
Verse 4:
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The battle rolled on until bold Pearson cried:
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'Have you struck your colors? Then come along side.'
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But so far from thinkin' the battle was won,
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John-Paul Jones replied: 'I have not yet begun'
Verse 5:
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We fought them four glasses, four glasses so hot,
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Till fifty bold sailors lay dead on the spot,
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And fifty-five others lay stretched in their gore,
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While the thundering cannons most fiercely did roar.
Verse 6:
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The Alliance bore down and the Richard did rake,
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Which caused the bold hearts of our seamen to ache;
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But our shot flew so hot, that they couldn't stand long,
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And the brave British colours came finally down.