Lyrics: James Thomson
Music: Thomas Augustine Arne
When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sung this strain:
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:
Britons never will be slaves.
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;
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.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:
Britons never will be slaves.
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
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.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:
Britons never will be slaves.
The Muses, still with freedom found,
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.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:
Britons never will be slaves.