When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose arose (arose) from out the azure main
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain
"Rule, 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! rule the waves"
"Britons never will be slaves."
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame
But work their woe, and thy renown
"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves"
"Britons never will be slaves."
To thee belongs the rural reign
Thy cities shall with commerce shine
All thine shall be the subject main
And every shore it circles thine
"Rule, 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! rule the waves"
"Britons never will be slaves."