[This rudely constructed song—evidently composed in the forecastle, where poets are not exigent in the matter of rhymes, is included in this collection, notwithstanding its imperfections, because of the hold it took upon the minds of patriotic people. It was still a favorite song in many parts of the country as late as 1859, and it is valuable as a reflection of the spirit in which the War of 1812-14 was regarded by those who fought it.—Editor.]
Yeparliament of England,You lords and commons, too,Consider well what you're about,And what you're going to do;You're now to fight with Yankees,I'm sure you'll rue the day,You roused the sons of liberty,In North America.You first confined our commerce,And said our ships shant trade,You next impressed our seamen,And used them as your slaves;You then insulted Rogers,While ploughing o'er the main,And had not we declarèd war,You'd have done it o'er again.You thought our frigates were but few,And Yankees could not fight,Until brave Hull yourGuerrièretookAnd banished her from your sight.TheWaspthen took yourFrolic,We'll nothing say to that,ThePoictiersbeing of the line,Of course she took her back.The next, yourMacedonian,No finer ship could swim,Decatur took her gilt-work off,And then he sent her in.TheJava, by a Yankee shipWas sunk, you all must know;ThePeacockfine, in all her plume,By Lawrence down did go.Then next you sent yourBoxer,To box us all about,But we had anEnterprisingbrigThat beat yourBoxerout;We boxed her up to Portland,And moored her off the town,To show the sons of libertyTheBoxerof renown.The next upon Lake Erie,Where Perry had some fun,You own he beat your naval force,And caused them for to run;This was to you a sore defeat,The like ne'er known before—Your British squadron beat complete—Some took, some run ashore.There's Rogers in thePresident,Will burn, sink, and destroy;TheCongress, on the Brazil coast,Your commerce will annoy;TheEssex, in the South Seas,Will put out all your lights,The flag she waves at her mast-head—"Free Trade and Sailor's Rights."Lament, ye sons of Britain,Far distant is the day,When you'll regain by British forceWhat you've lost in America;Go tell your king and parliament,By all the world 'tis known,That British force, by sea and land,By Yankees is o'erthrown.Use every endeavor,And strive to make a peace,For Yankee ships are building fast,Their navy to increase;They will enforce their commerce,The laws by heaven are made,That Yankee ships in time of peace,To any port may trade.
Yeparliament of England,You lords and commons, too,Consider well what you're about,And what you're going to do;You're now to fight with Yankees,I'm sure you'll rue the day,You roused the sons of liberty,In North America.
You first confined our commerce,And said our ships shant trade,You next impressed our seamen,And used them as your slaves;You then insulted Rogers,While ploughing o'er the main,And had not we declarèd war,You'd have done it o'er again.
You thought our frigates were but few,And Yankees could not fight,Until brave Hull yourGuerrièretookAnd banished her from your sight.TheWaspthen took yourFrolic,We'll nothing say to that,ThePoictiersbeing of the line,Of course she took her back.
The next, yourMacedonian,No finer ship could swim,Decatur took her gilt-work off,And then he sent her in.TheJava, by a Yankee shipWas sunk, you all must know;ThePeacockfine, in all her plume,By Lawrence down did go.
Then next you sent yourBoxer,To box us all about,But we had anEnterprisingbrigThat beat yourBoxerout;We boxed her up to Portland,And moored her off the town,To show the sons of libertyTheBoxerof renown.
The next upon Lake Erie,Where Perry had some fun,You own he beat your naval force,And caused them for to run;This was to you a sore defeat,The like ne'er known before—Your British squadron beat complete—Some took, some run ashore.
There's Rogers in thePresident,Will burn, sink, and destroy;TheCongress, on the Brazil coast,Your commerce will annoy;TheEssex, in the South Seas,Will put out all your lights,The flag she waves at her mast-head—"Free Trade and Sailor's Rights."
Lament, ye sons of Britain,Far distant is the day,When you'll regain by British forceWhat you've lost in America;Go tell your king and parliament,By all the world 'tis known,That British force, by sea and land,By Yankees is o'erthrown.
Use every endeavor,And strive to make a peace,For Yankee ships are building fast,Their navy to increase;They will enforce their commerce,The laws by heaven are made,That Yankee ships in time of peace,To any port may trade.
1813.