Thomas Arne

Rule Britannia

Thomas Arne


When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main
Arose from out the azure main
This was the charter
The charter of the land
And guardian angels sang this strain
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves
Britons never will be slaves

The nations, not so blest as thee
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall
While thou shalt flourish great and free
The dread and envy of them all
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves
Britons never will be slaves

Still more majestic shalt thou rise
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves
Britons never will be slaves

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame
All their attempts to bend thee down
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame
But work their woe, and thy renown
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves
Britons never will be slaves

The Muses, still with freedom found
Shall to thy happy coast repair
Shall to thy happy coast repair
Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crown'd
And manly hearts to guard the fair
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves
Britons never will be slaves