 | The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth |  |
LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE.
When the fiend of fell discord had deluged in gore
The nations of Europe who bowed to the demon,
And Oppression's black sceptre was held o'er the shore
Once chartered by Heaven, the birthright of freemen;
In a chariot of flame
Fair Liberty came,
And the armor of Pallas encircled the dame:
Attend to her call, sons of Freedom, arise,
Independence in thunder proclaim to the skies.
The nations of Europe who bowed to the demon,
And Oppression's black sceptre was held o'er the shore
Once chartered by Heaven, the birthright of freemen;
In a chariot of flame
Fair Liberty came,
And the armor of Pallas encircled the dame:
Attend to her call, sons of Freedom, arise,
Independence in thunder proclaim to the skies.
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Inspired by the genius, our fathers unfurled
Her star-spangled banner, owned her dominion;
Bade their cannon indignant proclaim to the world
Their oath to be freemen in act and opinion.
While her eagle on high,
Flashing fire from his eye,
Saw the olive disdained, and his thunders let fly.
Then the watchword was Freedom—Columbia arise,
Independence in thunder proclaim to the skies.
Her star-spangled banner, owned her dominion;
Bade their cannon indignant proclaim to the world
Their oath to be freemen in act and opinion.
While her eagle on high,
Flashing fire from his eye,
Saw the olive disdained, and his thunders let fly.
Then the watchword was Freedom—Columbia arise,
Independence in thunder proclaim to the skies.
The foe in confusion recoiled from our shore,
Where Tyranny's upas in vain sought to flourish;
But the soil he relinquished, enriched with his gore,
Shall for ages the fair tree of Liberty nourish.
Mid its branches above,
In a union of love,
The eagle shall nestle and sport with the dove.
While, from myriads of freemen this chorus shall rise—
“Independence is ours, we'll proclaim to the skies.”
Where Tyranny's upas in vain sought to flourish;
But the soil he relinquished, enriched with his gore,
Shall for ages the fair tree of Liberty nourish.
Mid its branches above,
In a union of love,
The eagle shall nestle and sport with the dove.
While, from myriads of freemen this chorus shall rise—
“Independence is ours, we'll proclaim to the skies.”
But, hark! what hoarse discord our senses assail!
Our bird grasps his thunders, extends his broad pinions,
And perched mid the stars, he hears borne on the gale,
Ambition's proud threat to invade his dominions
But our heroes advance,
And alert seize the lance,
To repel the encroachments of England or France.
“Independence!—we'll never relinquish the prize,”
Let your cannon in thunder proclaim to the skies.
Our bird grasps his thunders, extends his broad pinions,
And perched mid the stars, he hears borne on the gale,
Ambition's proud threat to invade his dominions
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And alert seize the lance,
To repel the encroachments of England or France.
“Independence!—we'll never relinquish the prize,”
Let your cannon in thunder proclaim to the skies.
Rise, freemen, arise! let this festival day,
Devoted to joy and refined recreation,
See millions stand ready, alert to obey,
Should Liberty call to repel an invasion.
Your weapons retain,
While the goblet you drain,
Your toast, “Death or freedom,” and crowned with this strain:—
“Independence!—we'll never relinquish the prize,”
Let the oath be in thunder proclaimed to the skies.
Devoted to joy and refined recreation,
See millions stand ready, alert to obey,
Should Liberty call to repel an invasion.
Your weapons retain,
While the goblet you drain,
Your toast, “Death or freedom,” and crowned with this strain:—
“Independence!—we'll never relinquish the prize,”
Let the oath be in thunder proclaimed to the skies.
| The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth | |