An American frigate the "Richard" by name
Mounted forty-four guns, and from New York she came
A-cruising the channel of Old England's fame
With a noble commander, Paul Jones was his name
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

We had not cruised long before two sails we spied
A large forty-four and a twenty likewise
Some fifty boats shipping, well laden with store
As the convoy stood in for the old Yorkshire shore
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

'Bout the hour of twelve we came alongside
With a long speaking trumpet: “Whence came you?” he cried
“Come, answer me quickly, I'll hail you no more
Or else a broadside into you I will pour!”
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

We fought them four glasses, four glasses so hot
Till forty bold sailors lay dead on the spot
And fifty-five more lay all bleeding in gore
While the thundering cannons of Paul Jones did roar
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

The battle rolled on until bold Pierson cried
“Have you struck your colors? Then come alongside”
But so far from thinking the battle was won
John Paul Jones replied, “I have not yet begun!”
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!
?
Our Carpenter being frightened, to Paul Jones he came
Our ship she leaks water and is likewise in flame
Paul Jones he made answer, and to him replied
"If we can do no better, then we'll sink alongside"
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

Paul Jones he then turned to his men and did say
"Let every man fight a good battle today
We’ll take that bold convoy in the height of her pride
Or the Richard shall founder and sink in the tide"
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

The Serapis wore round and our ship it did rake
And many proud hearts of the English did ache
But the shot flew so hot, and so fierce and so fast
And the bold British colors were hauled down at last
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!

Oh now, my brave boys, we have taken a rich prize
The large forty-four and a twenty likewise
To help the poor mothers that have reason to weep
For the loss of their sons in the unfathomed deep
Hurrah! Our Country Forever Hurrah!