Heart of Oak

[1] As of late 2024, the Royal Canadian Navy is seeking an alternative official march "after deciding the lyrics, which celebrate British military victories in the colonial era and sing of men but not women, are disrespectful and outdated.

[4] The first verse and chorus of this version of the song is heard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 3, Episode 18 "Allegiance"), sung in Ten Forward by Patrick Stewart, in-character as an alien doppelgänger of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

(Chorus) They say they'll invade us, these terrible foes, They frighten our women, our children, our beaus, But if they in their flat-bottoms, in darkness set oar, Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore.

(Chorus) Alternative first verse: Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer, With heads carried high, we will banish all fear; To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves, For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

Alternative last verse: Britannia triumphant her ships rule the seas, Her watchword is 'Justice' her password is 'Free', So come cheer up my lads, with one heart let us sing, Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen, our King [Queen].

[11] When Alfred, our King, drove the Dane from this land, He planted an oak[12] with his own royal hand; And he pray'd for Heaven's blessing to hallow the tree, As a sceptre for England, the queen of the sea.

Chorus: The sapling shot up and stuck firm to the ground; It defied every tempest that bellow'd around; And still was it seen with fresh vigour to shoot, When the blood of our martyrs had moisten'd its root.

(Chorus) Yon tyrant, whose rule abject Europe bemoans — Yon brood of usurpers who sit on her thrones — Shall look on our country, and tremble with awe, Where a son of the Monarch has bow'd to the law, (Chorus) Now long live the Briton, who dar'd to revive The spirit which Britons scarce felt was alive; His name shall be carv'd, while of freedom we sing, On the oak that was planted by Alfred our King.