The Unveiling Ceremony

of

The Portsmouth Field Gun Statue and Gun

Victory Arena Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

26th May 2007 by

Commodore Peter Tribe RN Rtd

With Kind permission of

The 2nd Sea Lord Vice Admiral Adrian Johns

The Naval Base Commander

Commodore D.G. Steele ADC RN

Mr Peter Goodship Chief Executive P.N.B.P.T.

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ORDER OF EVENTS FOR UNVEILING CEREMONY    

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Heart of Oak

Come cheer up my lads,

'tis to glory we steer,

To add something more

to this wonderful year,

To honour we call you,

Not press you like slaves,

For who so are free

As the sons of the waves?

Heart of Oak are our ships

Heart of Oak are our ships,

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

And if they won't fight us,

We cannot do more.

Heart of Oak are our ships

Heart of Oak are our ships,

We always are ready:

Steady boys Steady

We'll fight and we'll conquer

Again and Again

They swear they'll invade us,

These terrible foes,

They frighten our women,

Our children and our beaus

But should their flat bottoms,

In darkness get o'er

Still Britons they'll find

To receive them ashore

Heart of Oak are our ships

Heart of Oak are our ships,

We always are ready:

Steady boys Steady

We'll fight and we'll conquer

Again and Again

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Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountains green?

And was the Holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance devine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among these dark satanic mills.

Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire

Bring me my spear! O, clouds unfold

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand

'till we have built Jerusalem

In England's green and pleasant land

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'TIS YET ANOTHER VICTORIOUS MOMENT FOR PORTSMOUTH FIELD GUN CREW

WE HAVE GONE TO THE LIMIT AND BEYOND AND THIS TIME NOT IN BLUE

THIS GLORIOUS STATUE THAT STANDS BEFORE US HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY YOU OVER THE YEARS

BY SELFLESS FIELD GUN DEVOTION WITH BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS

IT'S STRANGE HOW SILVER IS ALWAYS THE FILED GUN'S ULTIMATE AIM

AS WE STAND IN FRONT OF THIS MONUMENTAL BRONZE WE HAVE ACHIEVED A WINNER ONCE AGAIN

SO LET US GRIT OUR TEETH, THINK OF THE PAST

THINK OF THOSE ALREADY GONE SITTING IN THEIR OWN "HOLE IN THE WALL"

ENJOYING A DRUNKEN THRONG

HAVE A GOOD LOOK ROUND AT OUR OWN ROYAL TOURNAMENT HERE TODAY

A NOD;

TO THE LIVING AND THE DEAD WE PRAY

RING A DING DING.....................

Written by Phil Gibson ('82, '86, '91, '94)

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SPECIAL THANKS TO

Our members and Supporters that have backed this initiative with their support and donations, without which we would not be here today. A tremendous and sustained effort by one and all. Thank You.

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The Portsmouth

Field Gunners Association

To the Limit and Beyond

The Longest Run, is over

OUT, BACK AND HOME

2002 to 2007

Unveiling Ceremony Images

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