"Heart of Oak" is the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is also the official march of several Commonwealth navies including the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The music was composed by Dr. William Boyce, and the words were written by the 18th century English actor David Garrick. "Heart of Oak" was originally written as an opera. It first saw the light of day on New Year's Eve 1759 sung by Samuel Thomas Champnes, grandson of John Weldon, in one of the first pantomimes, "Harlequin's Invasion", at the Garrick Theatre.
The "wonderful year" referenced in the first verse is 1759-1760, during which British forces were victorious in several significant battles: the Battle of Minden on 1st of August 1759, the Battle of Lagos on 19 August 1759, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (outside Quebec City) on 13 September 1759 and the Battle of Quiberon Bay on 20 November 1759, foiling a French invasion project. These were followed a few months later by the Battle of Wandiwash in India on 22 January 1760. Britain's continued success in the war boosted the song's popularity.
Royal Canadian Sea Cadets now make it a popular tradition to sing "Heart of Oak" during days of their parades.
The oak in the song's title refers to the wood from which British warships were traditionally made in the age of sail. The phrase "hearts of oak" appears in English translations of the Aeneid.
Read more about Heart Of Oak: Lyrics, New Lyrics
Famous quotes containing the words heart and/or oak:
“I have nothing against the Queen of England. Even in my heart I never resented her for not being Jackie Kennedy. She is, to my mind, a very gallant lady, victimized by whoever it is who designs the tops of her uniforms.”
—Leonard Cohen (b. 1934)
“Below me trees unnumbered rise,
Beautiful in various dyes:
The gloomy pine, the poplar blue,
The yellow beech, the sable yew,
The slender fir that taper grows,
The sturdy oak with broad-spread boughs.”
—John Dyer (1699–1758)