The Royal Canadian Navy is planning on changing its Naval March, 'Heart of Oak' for something less colonialist, less sexist, and more diverse.
'Heart of Oak' has been the official march of the Royal Navy since the 1750's and is also the march of the Royal New Zealand Navy. It WAS also the march of the Royal Australian Navy but they changed theirs. Admiral Lord Nelson's fleet would have drummed this as they 'beat to quarters' at the Battle of Trafalgar...
Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something new to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves?
Chorus:
Heart of Oak are our ships,
Jolly Tars are our men,
We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.
We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay,
They never see us but they wish us away;
If they run, why we follow, and run them ashore,
For if they won't fight us, what can we do more?
(Chorus)
They say they'll invade us, these terrible foes,
They frighten our women, our children, our beaus,
But if they in their flat-bottoms, in darkness set oar,
Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore.
(Chorus)
We still make them fear and we still make them flee,
And drub them ashore as we drub them at sea,
Then cheer up me lads with one heart let us sing,
Our soldiers and sailors, our statesmen and king.
(Chorus)
Imagine if the US Navy replaced 'Anchors Aweigh', I mean, "Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh!" is just sooooo sexist and noninclusive...
It wouldn't surprise me if they did away with our Naval Prayer as well
O Eternal Lord God, who alone rulest the raging of the sea; who has compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end; be pleased to receive into Thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us Thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King Charles, and his Dominions, and a security for such as pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth may in peace and quietness serve Thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remembrance of Thy mercies to praise and glorify Thy Holy Name.
Amen.
(incidentally, the US Navy prayer is the same; just substitutes King, Dominions, and Commonwealth for 'Our Republic')