The Female Captain

Sung by Mrs. Wrighten.

Sound the fife, beat the drum, to my standard repair,
All ye lads who will conquer or die;
At request of my sex, as a captain I come,
The mens courage and valour to try;
‘Tis your king and your country now calls for your aid;
‘Tis the ladies command you to go;
By me they announce it, and he who’s afraid,
Or refuses, our vengeance shall know.

Then first to the single these things I declare,
So each maiden most firmly decrees;
Not a kiss will be granted, by black, brown, or fair,
Not an ogle, a sigh, or a squeeze.
To the married, if they but look glum, or say no,
Should the Monsieurs dare bluster or huff;
We’ve determin’d nem. con. that their foreheads shall show;
A word to the wise is enough.

These punishments we’ve in terroem proclaim’d;
But still, shou’d your valour but lack,
As our dernier resort, this resolve shall be nam’d,
Which egad will soon make you all pack.
We’ll the breeches assume, ‘pon my honour ’tis true,
So determine maids, widows, and wives,
First we’ll march, beat the French, them march back and beat you,
Aye, and wear ’em the rest of our lives.