Classic Poem

The noble earl of Salisbury,
With many a hardy knight,
Most valiantly prepar'd himself
Against the Scots to fight.
With his spear and his shield,
Making his proud foes to yield,
Fiercely on them all he ran,
To drive them from the Isle of Man,
Drums striking on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they go,
Tan ta ra ra ra tan.

Their silken ensigns in the field
Most gloriously were spread,
The horse-men on their prancing steeds,
Struck many Scotchmen dead;
The brown bill on their corselets ring,
The bow-men with their gray goose-wing,
The lusty lances, the piercing spear,
The soft flesh of their foes to tear:
Drums beating on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they go,
Tan ta ra ra ra tan.

The battle was so fierce and hot,
The Scots for fear did flie,
And many a famous knight and squire
In gory blood did lie,
Some thinking for to scape away
Did drown themselves within the sea;
Some with many a bloody wound,
Lay gasping on the clayey ground;
Drums beating on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they go,
Tan ta ra ra ra tan.

Thus after many a brave exploit,
That day perform'd and done,
The noble earl of Salisbury
The Isle of Man had won:
Returning then most gallantly
With honour, fame, and victory:
Like a conqueror of fame,
To Court this warlike champion came;
Drums beating in a row,
Trumpets sounding as they go,
Tan ta ra ra ra tan.

Our king rejoycing at this act,
Incontinent decreed,
To give the earl this pleasant isle,
For his most valiant deed.
And forthwith did cause him then
For to be crowned king of Man,
Earl of Salisbury,
King of Man by dignity:
Drums beating on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they go,
Tan ta ra ra ra tan.

This was the first king of Man,
That ever bore the name,
Knight of the princely garter blew,
And order of great fame,
Which brave king Edward did devise,
And with his person royalize:
Knights of the Garter are they call'd,
And eke at Windsor so install'd,
Which princely royalty
Great fame, and dignity,
This knighthood still is held.