 | The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth |  |
153
ODES ON THE NAVAL VICTORIES.
WAR OF 1812.
CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIERE.
Hark! 'twas the trumpet of victory sounded!
Welcome the strain to a freeman so dear;
See, with a halo of glory surrounded,
Hull, our first hero, in triumph appear!
Vainly the foeman his prowess had vaunted,
Proudly deriding our infantile fleet;
Hull met the boaster with courage undaunted,
Dacres as resolute scorned to retreat.
Short was the dreadful fray
On that eventful day,
Freedom's proud eagle still hovered on high;
Bright gleamed the crosslet too,
While fierce the volleys flew,
Shaking the ocean and rending the sky.
Welcome the strain to a freeman so dear;
See, with a halo of glory surrounded,
Hull, our first hero, in triumph appear!
Vainly the foeman his prowess had vaunted,
Proudly deriding our infantile fleet;
Hull met the boaster with courage undaunted,
Dacres as resolute scorned to retreat.
Short was the dreadful fray
On that eventful day,
Freedom's proud eagle still hovered on high;
Bright gleamed the crosslet too,
While fierce the volleys flew,
Shaking the ocean and rending the sky.
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Short was the contest, but dreadful the slaughter,
Long shall Britannia lament for her tars.
Death held his carnival on the deep water,
Scattered with carnage and fragments of spars,
Still like a tempest the bold Constitution
Deluged the former with ruin and blood;
Whelmed the proud warrior in horrid confusion,
Till she lay, sparless, a log on the flood.
Still she prolonged the fray
On that destructive day,
Still Freedom's banner was waving on high;
Low gleamed the cross in view,
While fierce the volleys flew,
Shaking the ocean and rending the sky.
Long shall Britannia lament for her tars.
Death held his carnival on the deep water,
Scattered with carnage and fragments of spars,
Still like a tempest the bold Constitution
Deluged the former with ruin and blood;
Whelmed the proud warrior in horrid confusion,
Till she lay, sparless, a log on the flood.
Still she prolonged the fray
On that destructive day,
Still Freedom's banner was waving on high;
Low gleamed the cross in view,
While fierce the volleys flew,
Shaking the ocean and rending the sky.
Short was the contest—the warrior surrendered,
Covered with carnage and streaming with gore;
Tenderest aid to the wounded rendered,
Foemen once vanquished are foemen no more.
Hail, then, the hero, who, covered with glory,
Humbled the pride of our arrogant foe;
Long may his name be emblazoned in story,
Long may his laurels continue to grow.
Then shout aloud his name,
And loud the deed proclaim—
Hull taught Britannia's red cross to descend;
Hull led the glorious way—
Hull fought and won the day,
Victory crowns him, and freemen commend.
Covered with carnage and streaming with gore;
Tenderest aid to the wounded rendered,
Foemen once vanquished are foemen no more.
Hail, then, the hero, who, covered with glory,
Humbled the pride of our arrogant foe;
Long may his name be emblazoned in story,
Long may his laurels continue to grow.
Then shout aloud his name,
And loud the deed proclaim—
Hull taught Britannia's red cross to descend;
Hull led the glorious way—
Hull fought and won the day,
Victory crowns him, and freemen commend.
155
WASP AND FROLIC.
Awake the bugle's martial voice,
In loud triumphant strain;
Columbia's sons again rejoice
For victory on the main!
Another chieftain of our choice—
The brave intrepid Jones,
Claims our lays,
To his praise
We wake the clarion's tones.
In loud triumphant strain;
Columbia's sons again rejoice
For victory on the main!
Another chieftain of our choice—
The brave intrepid Jones,
Claims our lays,
To his praise
We wake the clarion's tones.
Indignant at the wrongs we bore,
From British pride and hate,
He, fearless, left Columbia's shore,
To try the battle's fate;
And soon the cannon's mingled roar
Announced the foe engaged—
Side by side,
On the tide,
The dreadful fight they waged.
From British pride and hate,
He, fearless, left Columbia's shore,
To try the battle's fate;
And soon the cannon's mingled roar
Announced the foe engaged—
Side by side,
On the tide,
The dreadful fight they waged.
The horrid din of battle swelled,
As o'er the watery field,
An equal course the vessels held,
Resolving ne'er to yield.
Attempts at boarding still repulsed,
And still the fire was poured;
Bright it broke,
Through the smoke,
While loud the cannons roared.
As o'er the watery field,
An equal course the vessels held,
Resolving ne'er to yield.
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And still the fire was poured;
Bright it broke,
Through the smoke,
While loud the cannons roared.
The vessels close—and hark! the crash
That rends their groaning planks;
The foeman's fire has ceased to flash,
For death has thinned his ranks;
And naught availed his valor rash,
He yields to gallant Jones—
To whose praise
Wake our lays
In victory's richest tones.
That rends their groaning planks;
The foeman's fire has ceased to flash,
For death has thinned his ranks;
And naught availed his valor rash,
He yields to gallant Jones—
To whose praise
Wake our lays
In victory's richest tones.
UNITED STATES AND MACEDONIAN.
The banner of Freedom high floated unfurled,
While the silver tipped surges in low homage curled,
Flashing bright round the bow of a ship under sail,
In fight, like the tempest—in speed, like the gale.
She bears our country's name,
She builds our country's fame,
The bold United States disdains to yield or fly;
Her motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
While the silver tipped surges in low homage curled,
Flashing bright round the bow of a ship under sail,
In fight, like the tempest—in speed, like the gale.
She bears our country's name,
She builds our country's fame,
The bold United States disdains to yield or fly;
Her motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
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All canvass expanded the gale to embrace,
The ship cleared for action, still nearing the chase;
The foeman in view—every bosom beats high,
All eager for conquest, or ready to die.
Columbia's gallant tars,
Who sail beneath her stars,
Shall ne'er be known to yield—shall ne'er ignobly fly;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
The ship cleared for action, still nearing the chase;
The foeman in view—every bosom beats high,
All eager for conquest, or ready to die.
Columbia's gallant tars,
Who sail beneath her stars,
Shall ne'er be known to yield—shall ne'er ignobly fly;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
Still rapidly lessens the distance between,
Till the gay-floating streamers of Britain are seen;
Till our quick-sighted chief could with rapture espy,
The cross, like a meteor, gleaming on high.
To gild our country's name,
To rival Hull in fame,
The brave Decatur now resolves the fight to try—
His motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
Till the gay-floating streamers of Britain are seen;
Till our quick-sighted chief could with rapture espy,
The cross, like a meteor, gleaming on high.
To gild our country's name,
To rival Hull in fame,
The brave Decatur now resolves the fight to try—
His motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
Now Havoc stands ready with optics of flame,
And battle-hounds strain on the start for the game;
The blood-demons rise on the surge for their prey,
While Pity, dejected, awaits the dread fray.
But Freedom's gallant sons,
Now stationed at their guns,
Remember Freedom's wrongs, and smother Pity's sigh;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
And battle-hounds strain on the start for the game;
The blood-demons rise on the surge for their prey,
While Pity, dejected, awaits the dread fray.
But Freedom's gallant sons,
Now stationed at their guns,
Remember Freedom's wrongs, and smother Pity's sigh;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
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Now the lightning of battle gleams horribly red
While a tempest of iron, and a hailstorm of lead,
Like a flood on the foe was so copiously poured,
That his mizzen and topmasts soon went by the board.
Still fight Columbia's tars
Beneath the stripes and stars,
For still their country's flag is proudly floating high,
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
While a tempest of iron, and a hailstorm of lead,
Like a flood on the foe was so copiously poured,
That his mizzen and topmasts soon went by the board.
Still fight Columbia's tars
Beneath the stripes and stars,
For still their country's flag is proudly floating high,
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
The contest continued with horrible roar,
The demons of vengeance still feasting on gore;
'Till more than a hundred of Britain's brave sons,
Lay bleeding on deck by the side of their guns:
When low the cross descends,
And quick the battle ends,
The Macedonian yields, her streamers kiss the wave;
Our motto is “Glory—we conquer to save.”
The demons of vengeance still feasting on gore;
'Till more than a hundred of Britain's brave sons,
Lay bleeding on deck by the side of their guns:
When low the cross descends,
And quick the battle ends,
The Macedonian yields, her streamers kiss the wave;
Our motto is “Glory—we conquer to save.”
Let Britain no longer lay claim to the seas,
For the trident of Neptune is ours if we please;
While Hull, and Decatur, and Jones are our boast,
In vain their huge navy may threaten our coast.
They gild Columbia's name,
They build Columbia's fame;
And to revenge our wrongs, to battle eager fly;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
For the trident of Neptune is ours if we please;
While Hull, and Decatur, and Jones are our boast,
In vain their huge navy may threaten our coast.
They gild Columbia's name,
They build Columbia's fame;
And to revenge our wrongs, to battle eager fly;
Their motto is “Glory—we conquer or die.”
159
CONSTITUTION AND JAVA.
Yankee tars! come, join the chorus,
Shout aloud the patriot strain;
Freedom's flag, again victorious,
Floats triumphant o'er the main.
Hail the gallant Constitution!
Hull immortalized her name;
Bainbridge, round it in profusion
Pours the golden blaze of fame.
Shout aloud the patriot strain;
Freedom's flag, again victorious,
Floats triumphant o'er the main.
Hail the gallant Constitution!
Hull immortalized her name;
Bainbridge, round it in profusion
Pours the golden blaze of fame.
Scarce had Fame her Hull rewarded,
Ere intrepid Bainbridge rose,
Eager while the world applauded,
To subdue his country's foes.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Ere intrepid Bainbridge rose,
Eager while the world applauded,
To subdue his country's foes.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Hull, on board the Constitution,
Sank his foe beneath the flood;
Fired with equal resolution,
Bainbridge sought the scene of blood.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Sank his foe beneath the flood;
Fired with equal resolution,
Bainbridge sought the scene of blood.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Lambert met him on the Java,
Fierce the hot contention rose—
Like the streams of Etna's lava,
Fell our vengeance on the foes
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Fierce the hot contention rose—
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Fell our vengeance on the foes
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Neptune shunned the fierce commotion,
Saw his realm with carnage spread,
Saw our fire illume the ocean,
Covered with the floating dead.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Saw his realm with carnage spread,
Saw our fire illume the ocean,
Covered with the floating dead.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Twice had Time his glass inverted,
While the strife deformed the flood,
Ere the fiend of death, diverted,
Ceased to glut on human blood.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
While the strife deformed the flood,
Ere the fiend of death, diverted,
Ceased to glut on human blood.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
See, our foe, upon the billow,
Floats a wreck without a spar—
Lowly lies on ocean's pillow,
Many a brave and gallant tar.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Floats a wreck without a spar—
Lowly lies on ocean's pillow,
Many a brave and gallant tar.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Hark! his lee gun speaks submission,
Bid our vengeful tars forbear—
Mercy views the foe's condition,
Sees a bleeding brother there.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Bid our vengeful tars forbear—
Mercy views the foe's condition,
Sees a bleeding brother there.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
161
Man the boats! the foe, confounded,
Yields to our superior fire;
Board the prize! relieve the wounded!
Ere in anguish they expire.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Yields to our superior fire;
Board the prize! relieve the wounded!
Ere in anguish they expire.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Ah! the fight was hard contested,
Groaning there an hundred bleed,
Sixty-nine has death arrested,
From their floating prisons freed.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Groaning there an hundred bleed,
Sixty-nine has death arrested,
From their floating prisons freed.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Clear the wreck! she can not swim, boys;
See! she follows the Guerriere!
Now your cans fill to the brim, boys,
Sing our navy's bright career.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
See! she follows the Guerriere!
Now your cans fill to the brim, boys,
Sing our navy's bright career.
Hail the gallant Constitution, &c.
Toast the heroes famed in story,
Hull, Decatur, Rodgers, Jones;
Bainbridge, chief in naval glory,
Smiling Freedom joyfully owns.
Hail the gallant Constitution!
Hull immortalized her name;
Bainbridge, round it in profusion
Pours the golden blaze of fame.
Hull, Decatur, Rodgers, Jones;
Bainbridge, chief in naval glory,
Smiling Freedom joyfully owns.
Hail the gallant Constitution!
Hull immortalized her name;
Bainbridge, round it in profusion
Pours the golden blaze of fame.
162
HORNET AND PEACOCK.
Rejoice! rejoice! Fredonia's sons rejoice!
And swell the loud trumpet in patriotic strain;
Your choice, your choice, fair Freedom is your choice,
Then celebrate her triumphs on the main.
For the trident of Neptune, long by Britain wielded,
At length to Fredonia reluctantly yielded.
Then for Hull, Decatur, Jones,
And for Bainbridge, swell the tones,
While the ready hand of Fame
Bright emblazons every name—
Brave Lawrence, gallant Lawrence, now is shouted with acclaim.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars, shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
And swell the loud trumpet in patriotic strain;
Your choice, your choice, fair Freedom is your choice,
Then celebrate her triumphs on the main.
For the trident of Neptune, long by Britain wielded,
At length to Fredonia reluctantly yielded.
Then for Hull, Decatur, Jones,
And for Bainbridge, swell the tones,
While the ready hand of Fame
Bright emblazons every name—
Brave Lawrence, gallant Lawrence, now is shouted with acclaim.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars, shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
Attend, attend, ye gallant tars attend,
While your deeds are recounted in patriotic song;
Ascend, ascend, your banners high ascend,
And your cannon the loud chorus still prolong.
First, the bold Constitution led the path of glory,
The gallant little Wasp then added to the story;
Soon a brighter glory 'waits,
The renowned United States—
For she gave Columbia's fleet,
A new frigate that she beat;
While the famed Constitution sunk another in the deep.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
While your deeds are recounted in patriotic song;
Ascend, ascend, your banners high ascend,
And your cannon the loud chorus still prolong.
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The gallant little Wasp then added to the story;
Soon a brighter glory 'waits,
The renowned United States—
For she gave Columbia's fleet,
A new frigate that she beat;
While the famed Constitution sunk another in the deep.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
Again, again, Columbia's flag again
Triumphantly floats where Britannia's used to soar;
In vain the main has owned the Peacock's reign,
Her gaudy rainbow honors are no more!
For Lawrence taught the Hornet so fiercely to assail her,
That all her boasted prowess in fight could not avail her;
But she ended her career,
Like the Java and Guerriere;
For the Hornet's sting was plied
Till the sea, with blushes dyed,
Its tyrant's fifth defeat in its bosom sought to hide.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
Triumphantly floats where Britannia's used to soar;
In vain the main has owned the Peacock's reign,
Her gaudy rainbow honors are no more!
For Lawrence taught the Hornet so fiercely to assail her,
That all her boasted prowess in fight could not avail her;
But she ended her career,
Like the Java and Guerriere;
For the Hornet's sting was plied
Till the sea, with blushes dyed,
Its tyrant's fifth defeat in its bosom sought to hide.
164
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
Unite, unite, Columbia's sons, unite,
And hurl on aggressors the tempest they provoke,
The fight is right, then raise your sabres bright,
And Britons soon shall tremble at the stroke.
The foe's on our coast! put your mountain-oaks in motion,
Fly to the main, for your wrongs were on the ocean;
There in a flood of fire,
Every tar shall breathe his ire;
His motto, while he fights,
Be “Free trade and sailors' rights,”
Till even-handed Justice every injury requites.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
And hurl on aggressors the tempest they provoke,
The fight is right, then raise your sabres bright,
And Britons soon shall tremble at the stroke.
The foe's on our coast! put your mountain-oaks in motion,
Fly to the main, for your wrongs were on the ocean;
There in a flood of fire,
Every tar shall breathe his ire;
His motto, while he fights,
Be “Free trade and sailors' rights,”
Till even-handed Justice every injury requites.
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, boys,
Free is our soil, and the ocean shall be free;
Our tars shall Mars protect beneath our stars,
And Freedom's eagle hover o'er the sea.
165
ENTERPRISE AND BOXER.
Through the gloom of despondence, bright glory appears,
And scatters again on the ocean its splendor;
Hark! Freedom's loud clarion proclaims to the sphere,
The names of more heroes who die to defend her;
On Lawrence's bier,
Yet glistened her tear,
When this full sounding chorus saluted her ear:
No tyrant shall ever rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
And scatters again on the ocean its splendor;
Hark! Freedom's loud clarion proclaims to the sphere,
The names of more heroes who die to defend her;
On Lawrence's bier,
Yet glistened her tear,
When this full sounding chorus saluted her ear:
No tyrant shall ever rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
Delighted, she listened, and learned from the strain,
That her flag was victorious while Britain's descended:
And though her tears fell for the fate of the slain,
She gloried in sons who so nobly defended:
Who in Liberty's cause,
With Heaven's applause,
Had died in defence of their country and laws.
Now vainly shall tyrants lay claim to that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
That her flag was victorious while Britain's descended:
And though her tears fell for the fate of the slain,
She gloried in sons who so nobly defended:
Who in Liberty's cause,
With Heaven's applause,
Had died in defence of their country and laws.
Now vainly shall tyrants lay claim to that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
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Young Burrows, unknown on the annals of Fame,
Arose and laid claim to a chaplet of laurel;
Fought the Boxer, enveloped in sulphur and flame,
Till the victory he gained, though he died in the quarrel.
On victory's breast,
The hero shall rest,
While his spirit aspires to the realms of the blest.
And ne'er shall a tyrant rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
Arose and laid claim to a chaplet of laurel;
Fought the Boxer, enveloped in sulphur and flame,
Till the victory he gained, though he died in the quarrel.
On victory's breast,
The hero shall rest,
While his spirit aspires to the realms of the blest.
And ne'er shall a tyrant rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
Then fill up your goblets, bid sorrow adieu,
The heroes who fell are encircled with glory;
While music inspires, let us toast the brave crew,
Who survive the hot contest to tell us the story;
The fight they'll ne'er shun,
For with gun matched to gun,
In triumph we only count six to their one.
No tyrant shall ever rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
The heroes who fell are encircled with glory;
While music inspires, let us toast the brave crew,
Who survive the hot contest to tell us the story;
The fight they'll ne'er shun,
For with gun matched to gun,
In triumph we only count six to their one.
No tyrant shall ever rule over that flood,
Which Lawrence and Burrows have stained with their blood.
167
PERRY AND M'DONOUGH:
OR, ERIE AND CHAMPLAIN
Hail to the day which arises in splendor,
Shedding the lustre of victory far!
Long shall its glory illume September,
Which twice beheld freemen the victors in war.
Roused by the spirit of heaven-born Freedom,
Perry her lightning pours over the lake;
His falchion a meteor glitters to lead them,
And swift on the foemen in thunders they break.
Loud swells the cannon's roar,
Round Erie's sounding shore,
Answered in volleys by musketry's voice;
Till Britain's cross descends,
And the haughty foe bends—
Victory! glory! Columbians, rejoice!
Shedding the lustre of victory far!
Long shall its glory illume September,
Which twice beheld freemen the victors in war.
Roused by the spirit of heaven-born Freedom,
Perry her lightning pours over the lake;
His falchion a meteor glitters to lead them,
And swift on the foemen in thunders they break.
Loud swells the cannon's roar,
Round Erie's sounding shore,
Answered in volleys by musketry's voice;
Till Britain's cross descends,
And the haughty foe bends—
Victory! glory! Columbians, rejoice!
Hail to the day which in splendor returning,
Lights us to conquest and glory again;
Time told a year—still the war-torch was burning,
And threw its red ray on the waves of Champlain;
Roused by the spirit that conquered for Perry,
Dauntless M'Donough advanced to the fray;
Instant the glory that brightened Lake Erie,
Burst on Champlain with the splendor of day
Loud swells the cannon's roar
On Plattsburgh's bloody shore,
Britons retreat from the tempest of war;
Prevost deserts the field,
While the gallant ships yield—
Victory! glory! Columbians, huzza!
Lights us to conquest and glory again;
Time told a year—still the war-torch was burning,
And threw its red ray on the waves of Champlain;
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Dauntless M'Donough advanced to the fray;
Instant the glory that brightened Lake Erie,
Burst on Champlain with the splendor of day
Loud swells the cannon's roar
On Plattsburgh's bloody shore,
Britons retreat from the tempest of war;
Prevost deserts the field,
While the gallant ships yield—
Victory! glory! Columbians, huzza!
Hail to the day which, recorded in story,
Lives the bright record of unfading fame!
Long shall Columbians, inspired by its glory,
Hail its returning with joyous acclaim.
Victory scattered profusely the laurel,
Over our heroes, on land and on flood;
Britain, astonished, relinquished the quarrel,
Peace saw her olive arise from the blood.
Now cannons cease to roar,
Round Freedom's peaceful shore,
Silent and hushed is the war-bugle's voice;
Let festive joys increase
In the sunshine of peace,
Peace gained by victory! Freemen, rejoice!
Lives the bright record of unfading fame!
Long shall Columbians, inspired by its glory,
Hail its returning with joyous acclaim.
Victory scattered profusely the laurel,
Over our heroes, on land and on flood;
Britain, astonished, relinquished the quarrel,
Peace saw her olive arise from the blood.
Now cannons cease to roar,
Round Freedom's peaceful shore,
Silent and hushed is the war-bugle's voice;
Let festive joys increase
In the sunshine of peace,
Peace gained by victory! Freemen, rejoice!
The engagement on Lake Erie, between Commodores Perry and Barclay, occurred September 10, 1813, and that of Lake Champlain, between M'Donough and Downie, Sept. 11, 1814.
Sir George Prevost, commander of the British land-forces, made a hasty retreat after the capture of Commodore Downie's fleet.
169
SARATOGA AND MORGIANNA.
Come, banish all your petty jars,
And shout your joy in loud huzzas,
In honor of Columbia's tars,
Whose valor ne'er shall fail her;
Let echo answer to the strain,
And pass the tidings o'er the main,
That British pride,
Which we deride,
Again is humbled on the tide,
By Freedom's gallant sailor.
And shout your joy in loud huzzas,
In honor of Columbia's tars,
Whose valor ne'er shall fail her;
Let echo answer to the strain,
And pass the tidings o'er the main,
That British pride,
Which we deride,
Again is humbled on the tide,
By Freedom's gallant sailor.
Once Saratoga swelled the song,
As Britain will remember long,
Burgoyne with seven thousand strong,
In fight could not avail her;
Now Saratoga on the main,
Has shown that Britains claim is vain,
To rule the sea
By nature free—
'T is what shall never, never be,
Says every Yankee sailor.
As Britain will remember long,
Burgoyne with seven thousand strong,
In fight could not avail her;
Now Saratoga on the main,
Has shown that Britains claim is vain,
To rule the sea
By nature free—
'T is what shall never, never be,
Says every Yankee sailor.
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This Saratoga you shall hear,
Was fitted out a privateer,
And manned by tars unknown to fear,
From danger never paler;
To die or conquer all agreed—
To die or valiantly succeed!
To nobly die,
But never fly
While George's cross was waving high,
'T was like a Yankee sailor.
Was fitted out a privateer,
And manned by tars unknown to fear,
From danger never paler;
To die or conquer all agreed—
To die or valiantly succeed!
To nobly die,
But never fly
While George's cross was waving high,
'T was like a Yankee sailor.
They hoisted sail, and cruised afar,
To aid their country in the war,
And many a valiant British tar
Has reason to bewail her;
They fought and captured all they met,
While Britons vainly fume and fret;
Each gallant prize
In safety lies,
While far to sea for more she flies,
To enrich a Yankee sailor.
To aid their country in the war,
And many a valiant British tar
Has reason to bewail her;
They fought and captured all they met,
While Britons vainly fume and fret;
Each gallant prize
In safety lies,
While far to sea for more she flies,
To enrich a Yankee sailor.
At length they spy a worthier mark,
To try their little, gallant bark—
Behold a ship of war! and, hark!
They arrogantly hail her!
The Saratoga quick replies,
In language that astounds the skies;
While Freedom's sons
Still serve their guns,
'Till called “away,” each boarder runs,
And each, a Yankee sailor.
To try their little, gallant bark—
Behold a ship of war! and, hark!
They arrogantly hail her!
The Saratoga quick replies,
In language that astounds the skies;
171
Still serve their guns,
'Till called “away,” each boarder runs,
And each, a Yankee sailor.
The foe has eighteen guns, or more,
The Saratoga only four:
Away! my lads, and board once more,
And fiercely still assail her.
Huzza, huzza, boys! see, she strikes!
Now board your prize without your pikes,
And succor those
No longer foes
Whose generous blood in duty flows,
And save a brother sailor.
The Saratoga only four:
Away! my lads, and board once more,
And fiercely still assail her.
Huzza, huzza, boys! see, she strikes!
Now board your prize without your pikes,
And succor those
No longer foes
Whose generous blood in duty flows,
And save a brother sailor.
| The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth | |