Spanish Ladies
View chords used in this chart
Verse
Bm D F#m
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies,
Bm D A
Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain;
Bm A D F#m
For we've received orders for to sail for ol' England,
G F#m Bm F#m Bm
But we hope in a short time to see you again.
Chorus
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea.
D A D F#m
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
G A Bm Em F#m Bm
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
Verse
Bm D F#m
We hove our ship to with the wind from sou'west, boys
Bm D A
We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take;
Bm A D F#m
'Twas forty-five fathoms, with a white sandy bottom,
G F#m Bm F#m Bm
So we squared our main yard and up channel did make.
Verse
Bm D F#m
The first land we sighted was called the Dodman,
Bm D F#m
Next Rame Head off Plymouth, off Portsmouth the Wight;
D A D F#m
We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight and Dover,
G A Bm F#m Bm
And then we bore up for the South Foreland light.
Chorus
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea.
D A D F#m
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
G A Bm Em F#m Bm
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
Verse
Bm D F#m
Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor,
Bm D F#m
And all in the Downs that night for to lie;
Bm A D F#m
Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper!
G F#m Bm F#m Bm
Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly!
Verse
Bm D F#m
Now let every man drink off his full bumper,
Bm D F#m
And let every man drink off his full glass;
Bm A D F#m
We'll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy,
G F#m Bm F#m Bm
And here's to the health of each true-hearted lass.
Chorus
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
Bm D F#m
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea.
D A D F#m
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England;
G A Bm Em F#m Bm
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
How to play Spanish Ladies
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Bm. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.