Miscellaneous poems | ||
186
PARODY ON THE MARSEILLES HYMN, ADAPTED FOR THE SONS OF COLUMBIA.
Columbia's Sons, awake to glory,
Your Guardian Genius bids you rise;
Transmit your name to future story,
As learned, gen'rous, brave and wise.
Shall pois'nous reptiles, mischief brewing,
With cringing knaves, a lawless band,
Spread disaffection through the land,
While mean and selfish schemes pursuing?
To yonder vaulted sky—our solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose, all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
Your Guardian Genius bids you rise;
Transmit your name to future story,
As learned, gen'rous, brave and wise.
Shall pois'nous reptiles, mischief brewing,
With cringing knaves, a lawless band,
Spread disaffection through the land,
While mean and selfish schemes pursuing?
To yonder vaulted sky—our solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose, all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
E'en now the distant thunders rolling,
Speak the angry tempest nigh;
The breath of demagogues is howling,
Their threat'nings gleam along the sky.
And shall we tamely hear it roaring,
Th' horizon with dark clouds o'erspread;
While Liberty, with drooping head,
See's democratic despots soaring?
To yonder vaulted sky—our solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose—all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
Speak the angry tempest nigh;
187
Their threat'nings gleam along the sky.
And shall we tamely hear it roaring,
Th' horizon with dark clouds o'erspread;
While Liberty, with drooping head,
See's democratic despots soaring?
To yonder vaulted sky—our solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose—all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
Liberty, thou noblest gift of Heav'n,
Who once has felt thy sacred fire,
Would wish to live of thee bereaven,
Or would not in thy cause expire?
Oh! may thy banners, ever glorious,
O'er blest Columbia proudly wave;
Her children spurn the name of slave,
Over insidious friends victorious;
To yonder vaulted sky—our solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose—all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
Who once has felt thy sacred fire,
Would wish to live of thee bereaven,
Or would not in thy cause expire?
Oh! may thy banners, ever glorious,
O'er blest Columbia proudly wave;
Her children spurn the name of slave,
Over insidious friends victorious;
188
Firmly to oppose—all treacherous foes—
Live free, or bravely die.
Miscellaneous poems | ||