Admiral Benbow

John Benbow, born in Shrewsbury in 1653, was a butcher’s apprentice before joining the Royal Navy at 25.  A string of battles against the French saw him promoted Admiral and sent to the West Indies, where his last action in 1702 inspired this ballad.  Benbow ordered an attack, off the Columbian coast, on a French squadron commanded by Admiral Jean du Casse. However, most of his captains refused to engage and in the battle Benbow’s right leg was shattered by chain shot.  Although sick, he ordered that his captains be tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy.  Benbow did not survive the return voyage, but two of his captains, Kirby and Wade, were shot on arrival at Plymouth in April 1703.


 

 

Admiral Benbow

 

Come all you seamen bold

Come all you seamen bold

And draw near

And draw ne-e-ear
Come all you seamen bold, and draw near
 Tis of an admiral's fame,
 And brave Benbow was his name,
 And he fought all on the main,
 You shall hear

You shall hear

Brave Benbow he set sail

Brave Benbow he set sail
For to fight

For to fi-i-ight
Brave Benbow he set sail, for to fight
Brave Benbow he set sail
 In a fine and pleasant gale
 But his captains they turned tail
 In a fright

In a fright

Said Kirby unto Wade

Said Kirby unto Wade
We shall run

We shall ru-u-un
Said Kirby unto Wade, we shall run
For I value not disgrace
 Nor the losing of my place
 But the enemy I'll not face
 Nor his guns

Nor his guns

The Ruby and Benbow

The Ruby and Benbow
Fought the French

Fought the Fre-e-ench
The Ruby and Benbow fought the French
 They fought them up and down
 'Til the blood came trickling down
 'Til the blood came trickling down
 Where they lay

Where they lay

Brave Benbow lost his legs

Brave Benbow lost his legs
By chain shot

By chain sh-o-ot
Brave Benbow lost his legs, by chain shot
Brave Benbow lost his legs
 And down on his stumps he begged
 Fight on my English lads
 'Tis our lot

'Tis our lot

Come surgeon dress my wounds

Come surgeon dress my wounds
Cried Benbow

Cried Benbo-o-ow
Come surgeon dress my wounds, cried Benbow

Let a cradle now in haste
On the quarterdeck be placed
 That the enemy I might face
 'Til I die

'Til I die

 

When he closed his eyes and died

When he closed his eyes and died

They all cried

They all cri-i-ied

He closed his eyes and died, they all cried

What a terrible sight to see

Our brave hero on that day

And they carried him to Kingston Church

Where he lay

Where he lay