'Twas on the 21st of May.
As you will understand.
We sailed out of Boulogne Bay,
Bound for the English land.

But to our sad misfortune,
And to our great surprise,
We were chased by two galleys,
Belonging to the Excise.

Oh then my boys for liberty,
Was the cry of one and all.
But soon they overpowered us,
With powder and with ball.

They dragged us up to Dover Gaol,
In irons bound like thieves,
All for to serve great George our King,
And force us to the seas.

The wives for their husbands
Were in such distress,
For children round the gaol
Were crying fatherless.

And sure the sight was shocking
For anyone to see.
But still the cry came from the mob
For death or liberty.

Oh then a hole all in the wall,
Was everybody's cry.
And Lillburn and McCullock's men
Were soon obliged to fly.

For bricks and tiles flew so fast,
From every point you see.
And these poor men from Dover gaol,
They gained their liberty.

And now they've gained their liberty
The long wide world to range.
Long life to the Dover women,
Likewise to the Folkestone men.