Quote of the day - Lyrics to "The Glorious First of June"

These are the lyrics to the 18th century song "The Glorious First of June" commemorating a naval battle on 1st June 1794 which both the British and French claim as a victory.

And here's the unusual thing - they were both right, because both sides succeeded in the objects for which they fought.

The Royal Navy's primary objective was to confirm their naval superiority in the Western Approaches and enhance Britain's security by damaging the French fleet, and the Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe (left of centre in the painting below) achieved exactly that, inflicting a severe tactical defeat on the French Atlantic fleet. In fierce fighting the British captured seven French ships of the line, one of which later sank, without losing any.











However, the French navy's objective had been to ensure that a grain convoy got through to France where people were starving due to a poor harvest, and they achieved it. Howe went for the French fleet, which was the main threat to Britain, ignoring the grain convoy, which wasn't, but would almost certainly have been intercepted by the Royal Navy had they not been concentrating on the French Atlantic fleet. 










Here are the lyrics of a song commemorating the battle.

 

Come, let us raise the warlike lay,

Let Fame her trump attune,

In glad remembrance of the day,

The Glorious First of June,

When British tars, as oft e'erwhile,

Did new renown obtain,

And boldly proved their favour'd isle

Still mistress of the main.

Triumphant shall our navies plough

The seas from shore to shore,

And France in future times know HOWE

To conquer as before.


Emerging from his bed of rocks

Old Neptune eager rose,

Then sternly shook his briny locks

To view the mighty foes.

"Vain Gallia!", cried the frowning god,

"Detested be their cause,

Who'd rule the world with iron rod

And break true freedom's laws".

Those foaming billows soon shall flow,

Bestain'd with purple gore,

And Frenchmen to their cost know HOWE

To conquer as before.


The foe defied this dread degree,

Resolv'd with naval might,

To win the empire of the sea

Or perish in the fight.

Tremendous then the battle raged,

The waves seemed all on fire;

And dauntless ship with ship engaged,

While Fame did each inspire.

Some struck, while others, moving slow

To gain their native shore

Proclaim that British tars know HOWE

To conquer as before.

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