2-658-357 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

The Middle Watch - Watch, oh watch till ye find again Life and the land of morn. Illustration from 'Drake's Drum and Other Songs of the Sea' by Henry Newbolt (1862-1938) pub. 1905 (colour litho). Drake’s Drum is a snare drum that Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 - 1596) took with him when he circumnavigated the world. Shortly before his death off Panama he ordered the drum to be taken to Buckland Abbey and vowed that if England were ever in danger and someone was to beat the drum he would return to defend the country. Legend claims it can be heard in times of national crisis.