She once ran full sail, with all her timbers shaking
Now we'll drift her in and beach her up for breaking
One last time round Gibraltar Point she's bound
Hearts of oak run aground…

And it's many the port she's seen, and cargo she's carried
On a rough and rolling sea and never tarried
But home she always brought us safe and sound
Hearts of oak run aground…

A captain and his ship are bound together
They steer their course come still or stormy weather
The winds of fortune blow their fates around
Hearts of oak run aground…

My Nancy was my love and my best friend
I tied up safe with her each journey's end
When she died, my life became unwound
Hearts of oak run aground…

I've seen old sailors washed up on the quay
They're restless now they go no more to sea
Their hearts sail with each ship that's outward bound
Hearts of oak run aground…

Now I see the wrecks lined up along the shore
Before the sun is set there'll be one more
One last time I'll haul the ensign down
Hearts of oak run aground…