Oh ! the gallant first of May —
When our ships stole in the Bay,
Under cover of the darkness,
Into deep Manila Bay.
What cared they for mine or shell,
For our Dewey knew full well,
That we'd sink the Spanish vessels,
With the dawning of the day.

And amid the cannon's roar —
Bursting from Cavite's shore,
Pointing at our daring flagship,
As it neared Cavite's shore,
Clear, above the deafening gun,
From the lips of everyone,
Rose the hoarse cry of defiance,
Swelling ever more and more.

" 'Tis in memory of the Maine ,
And our gallant sailors slain,
Faraway in Cuban waters,
All our gallant sailors slain. "
Fierce and swift the deadly shot,
For the strong arms faltered not,
We were paying debts of honor,
As we made the bullets rain.

And the Stars and Stripes shall wave,
Over many a Spanish grave,
For the harbor of Manila
Now is but a Spanish grave.
And the first of May shall be
Dewey's Day on land and sea,
Honor to our dauntless Dewey,
Honor tOhis seamen brave!