Long the proud Spaniards had vaunted to conquer us,
Threatning our country with fyer and sword;
Often preparing their navy most sumptuous,
With as great plenty as Spain could afford.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

To the seas presentlye went our Lord admiral,
With knights couragious and captains full good;
The brave Earl of Essex, a prosperous general,
With him prepared to pass the salt flood.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

At Plymouth speedilye, took they ship valiantlye;
Braver ships never were seen under sayle,
With their fair colours spread, and streamers ore their head;
Now, bragging Spaniards, take heed of your tayle,

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

Unto Cales cunninglye, came we most speedilye
Where the kinges navy securelye did ryde;
Being upon their backs, piercing their butts of sacks,
Ere any Spaniards our coming decryde.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

Great was the crying, the running and ryding,
Which at that season was made in that place;
The beacons were fryred, as need then required;
To hyde their great treasure they had little space.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

There you might see their ships, how they were fyred fast,
And how their men drowned themselves in the sea;
There might you hear them cry, wayle and weep piteously,
When they saw no shrift to scape thence away.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

The great St. Phillip, the pryde of the Spaniards,
Was burnt to the bottom, and sunk in the sea;
But the St. Andrew, and eke the St. Matthew,
Wee took in fight manfullye and brought away.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

The Earl of Essex, most valiant and hardye,
With horsemen and footmen marched up to the town;
The Spanyards which saw then, were greatly alarmed,
Did fly for their savegard, and durst not come down.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

'Now,' quoth the noble Earl, 'courage, my soldiers all,
Fight, and be valiant, the spoil you shall have;
And be well rewarded all from the great to the small;
But looke that the women and children you save.'

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

The Spaniards at that sight, thinking it vain to fight,
Hung upp flags of truce and yielded the towne;
Wee marched in presentlye, decking the walls on hye,
With English colours which purchased renowne.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

Entering the houses then, of the most richest men,
For gold and treasure we searched eche day;
In some places we did find pyes backing left behind,
Meate at fire rosting, and folkes run away.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

Full of rich merchandize, every shop catched our eyes,
Damasks and sattens and velvets full fayre;
Which soldiers measur'd out by the length of their swords;
Of all commodities had a share.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

Thus Cales was taken, and our brave general
March'd to the marcket-place, where he did stand;
There many prisoners fell to our several shares;
Many crav'd mercye, and mercye they fannd.

Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums,
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.

When our brave General saw they delayed all,
And wold not ransome their towne as they said,
With their fair wanscots, their presses and bedsteds,
Their joint-stools and tables, a fire we made;
And when the town burned all in flame,
With tara, tantara, away wee all came.