All. Hurrah for the song. Now Bill! (Saunders hesitates).
Oxenham. He’s backward. It’s his modesty, (laughter), lend a hand there, heave him ahead!
They gather round Saunders laughing and push him forward to the front. Hitching up his breeches sailor fashion, he prepares himself to sing.
Saunders (looking round at them). Come on then, boys, and chime in all hands, keeping time with the stroke oar, like jolly tars.
The Greeks in dreams of Paradise
Did golden apples try
To make thy trees Hesperides
Their immortality,
But wine’s the stuff
Just drink enough,
The Nectar of the sky.
II.
Our father Noe knew the way,
He planted us the vine,
And Poets sing, and Prophets say,
His knowledge was divine.
For wine’s the stuff,
Then drink enough,
You’ll Never! Never die!
III.
When fevers, plagues, or blows are near.
Or surging seas run high,
We fearless Britons drink and cheer. (They cheer).
And face our destiny!
Oh Wine’s the stuff,
Just drink enough,
And never fear to die.