A British Tar

"A British Tar" was a song in the 19th century comic opera HMS Pinafore, written by the Human lyricist-composer duo Gilbert and Sullivan. It was the tenth song in Act I of this opera.
In 2375, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Commander Worf used the song to distract the malfunctioning android Data while engaging his scoutship in the atmosphere of the Ba'ku planet. The tactic proved partially successful, and Data was ultimately captured. ()
== Lyrics ==
A British tar is a soaring soul,
As free as a mountain bird,
His energetic fist should be ready to resist
A dictatorial word.
His nose should pant,
and his lip should curl,
His cheeks should flame
and his brow should furl,
His bosom should heave,
and his heart should glow,
And his fist be ever ready for a knock-down blow!
(Refrain)
His nose should pant and his lip should curl,
His cheeks should flame and his brow should furl,
His bosom should heave and his heart should glow,
And his fist be ever ready for a knock-down blow.
His eyes should flash with an inborn fire,
His brow with scorn be wrung;
He never should bow down to a domineering frown,
Or the tang of a tyrant tongue!
His foot should stamp,
and his throat should growl,
His hair should twirl,
and his face should scowl,
His eyes should flash,
and his breast protrude,
And this should be his customary attitude.
(Refrain)
His foot should stamp, and his throat should growl,
His hair should twirl, and his face should scowl;
His eyes should flash, and his breast protrude,
And this should be his customary attitude, his attitude, his attitude, his attitude.
== Background information ==
Data sang the part of Ralph Rackstraw (Able seamen), Captain Picard sang the part of Bill Bobstay (Boatswain's mate), and Worf sang the part of Bob Becket (Carpenter's mate). On the second verse, Picard mistakenly says "heart" instead of "foot."
Early drafts of Star Trek: Insurrection had Picard distract Data by quoting from King Lear. It was Patrick Stewart who suggested using Gilbert and Sullivan instead. (Fade In: From Idea to Final Draft)
The song A British Tar is also well known as being sung by John Rhys-Davies in the 1981 film .
==External link==
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British Tar, A