Lyrics:

The Duke of Marlborough
(trad. arr. Prior/Holland/Donockley)
The first Lord Marlborough, John Churchill, was an able general and an adroit politician who dodged his way through several changes of monarchy and their religions with great success, hence establishing Blenheim Palace and the wealth and power of the Churchill family. This is probably a Victorian song, at the height of Empire, given the gung-ho style of the lyrics.

You generals all and champions bold that take delight in field
That knock down palaces and castle walls but now to death must yield
I am an Englishman by birth, Lord Marlborough is my name
In Devonshire I drew my breath, a place of noted fame

I was beloved by all my men, kings and princes likewise
It's many a town I often took, and did the world surprise
King Charles the Second I did serve to face the foe in France
And at the battle of Ramilles I boldly did advance

The sun was down, the earth did shake, how loudly did I cry
Fight on, my lads, for old England's sake, we'll conquer or we'll die
That very day my horse got shot, 'twas by a musket ball
And as I mounted up again, my aide-de-camp did fall

Now on a bed of sickness lie, I am resigned to die
You generals all and champions bold stand true as well as I
Stand true my lads and bribes but fight with courage bold
I led my men through smoke and fire but never bribed by gold