The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827

Remember the days, when fair Liberty's call
Roused the sons of Columbia to arms;
When we swore, one and all, at her altars to fall,
Ere a tyrant should rifle her charms:
When Montgomery, Warren, and Mercer the brave,
Sealed the thrice-solemn oath, with their blood;
And Washington, destined his country to save,
Swept off all her foes, like a flood,

Remember, when Freedom her banners unfurled,
And exalted her standard on high;
We swore to defend her against the whole world,
And for her, to conquer, or die:
Bunker's Hill, Saratoga, Kings Mountain, and York,
Attested the truth that we swore;
Independence, and union, and peace, crowned our work;
And Liberty triumphed once more.

Now, when insolent tyrants assail her again,
And traitors are plotting her fall,
Shall the bliss-giving Goddess invoke us, in vain,
Like lions to rouse at her call?
Remember our oath! And remember the blood,
That sealed the dread oath, that we swore!
And remember the days, when victorious we stood!
And conquer for Freedom, once more.

Aug. 7, 1810

University of Virginia Library

Lines Written Soon After the Declaration of War Against Great Britain, in June, 1812, When Congress Passed an Act for Raising Troops.