Chapter 8

THE PATRIOT’S APPEAL.Come join hand and hand brave Americans all,Awake through the land at fair Liberty’s call;No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,Or stain with dishonor America’s name!In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live;Our purses are ready⁠—Steady, friends, steady!⁠—Not as slaves but as freemen our money we’ll give!Our worthy forefathers (let’s give them a cheer!)To climates unknown did courageously steer;Through oceans to deserts for freedom they cameAnd, dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame!In freedom, etc.Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they prized;What they gave let us cherish and piously keep,Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.In freedom, etc.The tree their own hands had to liberty reared,They lived to behold growing strong and revered;With transport they cried, “Now our wishes we gain,For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.”In freedom, etc.How sweet are the labors that freemen endure,Of which they enjoy all the profits secure!No longer such toils shall Americans know,If Britons may reap what Americans sow!In freedom, etc.Swarms ofplacemenand pensioners e’en now appearLike locusts deforming the charms of the year!Suns vainly will rise and showers vainly descend,If we are to drudge for what others may spend.In freedom, etc.Then join hand and hand, brave Americans all,By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;In so righteous a cause we may hope to succeed,For Heaven approves every generous deed.In freedom, etc.All ages and nations shall speak with applause,Of the courage we show in support of our cause,To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain.In freedom, etc.A bumper to Freedom! and as for the king,[8]When he does deserve it his praises we’ll sing!We wish Britain’s glory immortal may be,If she is but just and we are but free!In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live,Our purses are ready⁠—Steady, boys, steady!⁠—Our money as freemen, not slaves, we will give!

THE PATRIOT’S APPEAL.

Come join hand and hand brave Americans all,Awake through the land at fair Liberty’s call;No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,Or stain with dishonor America’s name!In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live;Our purses are ready⁠—Steady, friends, steady!⁠—Not as slaves but as freemen our money we’ll give!

Come join hand and hand brave Americans all,

Awake through the land at fair Liberty’s call;

No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,

Or stain with dishonor America’s name!

In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live;

Our purses are ready⁠—

Steady, friends, steady!⁠—

Not as slaves but as freemen our money we’ll give!

Our worthy forefathers (let’s give them a cheer!)To climates unknown did courageously steer;Through oceans to deserts for freedom they cameAnd, dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame!In freedom, etc.

Our worthy forefathers (let’s give them a cheer!)

To climates unknown did courageously steer;

Through oceans to deserts for freedom they came

And, dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame!

In freedom, etc.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they prized;What they gave let us cherish and piously keep,Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.In freedom, etc.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,

So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they prized;

What they gave let us cherish and piously keep,

Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.

In freedom, etc.

The tree their own hands had to liberty reared,They lived to behold growing strong and revered;With transport they cried, “Now our wishes we gain,For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.”In freedom, etc.

The tree their own hands had to liberty reared,

They lived to behold growing strong and revered;

With transport they cried, “Now our wishes we gain,

For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.”

In freedom, etc.

How sweet are the labors that freemen endure,Of which they enjoy all the profits secure!No longer such toils shall Americans know,If Britons may reap what Americans sow!In freedom, etc.

How sweet are the labors that freemen endure,

Of which they enjoy all the profits secure!

No longer such toils shall Americans know,

If Britons may reap what Americans sow!

In freedom, etc.

Swarms ofplacemenand pensioners e’en now appearLike locusts deforming the charms of the year!Suns vainly will rise and showers vainly descend,If we are to drudge for what others may spend.In freedom, etc.

Swarms ofplacemenand pensioners e’en now appear

Like locusts deforming the charms of the year!

Suns vainly will rise and showers vainly descend,

If we are to drudge for what others may spend.

In freedom, etc.

Then join hand and hand, brave Americans all,By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;In so righteous a cause we may hope to succeed,For Heaven approves every generous deed.In freedom, etc.

Then join hand and hand, brave Americans all,

By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;

In so righteous a cause we may hope to succeed,

For Heaven approves every generous deed.

In freedom, etc.

All ages and nations shall speak with applause,Of the courage we show in support of our cause,To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain.In freedom, etc.

All ages and nations shall speak with applause,

Of the courage we show in support of our cause,

To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,

For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain.

In freedom, etc.

A bumper to Freedom! and as for the king,[8]When he does deserve it his praises we’ll sing!We wish Britain’s glory immortal may be,If she is but just and we are but free!In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live,Our purses are ready⁠—Steady, boys, steady!⁠—Our money as freemen, not slaves, we will give!

A bumper to Freedom! and as for the king,[8]

When he does deserve it his praises we’ll sing!

We wish Britain’s glory immortal may be,

If she is but just and we are but free!

In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live,

Our purses are ready⁠—

Steady, boys, steady!⁠—

Our money as freemen, not slaves, we will give!

[8]In the copies of this song printed during the Revolution the last stanza is altered. In the Pennsylvania Chronicle, which we have examined, it is printed⁠—This bumper I crown for our sovereign’s health,And this for Britannia’s glory and wealth, etc.

[8]

In the copies of this song printed during the Revolution the last stanza is altered. In the Pennsylvania Chronicle, which we have examined, it is printed⁠—

This bumper I crown for our sovereign’s health,And this for Britannia’s glory and wealth, etc.

This bumper I crown for our sovereign’s health,

And this for Britannia’s glory and wealth, etc.

Soon after the passage of the stamp act many patriotic lyrics appeared in various parts of the country, one of the best of which is the following, by DoctorPrime, of New York, the author of “Muscipula sive Cambromyomachia,” a satire, and of several other poems of considerable merit.

A SONG FOR THE SONS OF LIBERTY.In story we’re told,How our fathers of oldBrav’d the rage of the wind and the waves;And cross’d the deep o’er,To this desolate shore,All because they were loath to be slaves, brave boys!All because they were loath to be slaves.Yet a strange scheme of late,Has been formed in the state,By a knot of political knaves;Who in secret rejoice,That the Parliament’s voiceHas resolved that we all shall be slaves, brave boys! etc.But if we should obey,This vile statute the wayTo more base future slavery paves;Nor in spite of our pain,Must we ever complain,If we tamely submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.Counteract, then, we mustA decree so unjust,Which our wise constitution depraves;And all nature conspires,To approve our desires,For she cautions us not to be slaves, brave boys! etc.As the sun’s lucid rayTo all nations gives day,And a world from obscurity saves;So all happy and free,George’s subjects should be,ThenAmericansmust not be slaves, brave boys! etc.Heaven only controlsThe great deep as it rolls,And the tide which our country lavesEmphatical roarsThis advice to our shores,O!Americans, never be slaves, brave boys! etc.Hark! the wind, as it flies,Though o’errul’d by the skies,While it each meaner obstacle braves,Seems to say, “Be like me,Always loyally free,But ah! never consent to be slaves,” brave boys! etc.To our monarch, we know,Due allegiance we owe,Who the sceptre so rightfully waves;But no sovereign we own,But the king on his throne,And we cannot, to subjects, be slaves, brave boys! etc.Though fools stupidly tell,That we mean to rebel,Yet all each American craves,Is but to be free,As we surely must be,For we never were born to be slaves, brave boys! etc.But whoever, in spiteAt American right,Like insolent Haman behaves;Or would wish to grow greatOn the spoils of the state,May he and his children be slaves, brave boys! etc.Though against the repeal,With intemperate zeal,ProudGranvilleso brutishly raves;Yet our conduct shall show,And our enemies know,ThatAmericansscorn to be slaves, brave boys! etc.With the beasts of the wood,We will ramble for food,We will lodge in wild deserts and caves;And live poor as Job,On the skirts of the globe,Before we’ll submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.The birth-right we holdShall never be sold,But sacred maintain’d to our graves;And before we’ll comply,We will gallantly die,For we must not, we will not be slaves, brave boys!For we must not, we will not be slaves!

A SONG FOR THE SONS OF LIBERTY.

In story we’re told,How our fathers of oldBrav’d the rage of the wind and the waves;And cross’d the deep o’er,To this desolate shore,All because they were loath to be slaves, brave boys!All because they were loath to be slaves.

In story we’re told,

How our fathers of old

Brav’d the rage of the wind and the waves;

And cross’d the deep o’er,

To this desolate shore,

All because they were loath to be slaves, brave boys!

All because they were loath to be slaves.

Yet a strange scheme of late,Has been formed in the state,By a knot of political knaves;Who in secret rejoice,That the Parliament’s voiceHas resolved that we all shall be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Yet a strange scheme of late,

Has been formed in the state,

By a knot of political knaves;

Who in secret rejoice,

That the Parliament’s voice

Has resolved that we all shall be slaves, brave boys! etc.

But if we should obey,This vile statute the wayTo more base future slavery paves;Nor in spite of our pain,Must we ever complain,If we tamely submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

But if we should obey,

This vile statute the way

To more base future slavery paves;

Nor in spite of our pain,

Must we ever complain,

If we tamely submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Counteract, then, we mustA decree so unjust,Which our wise constitution depraves;And all nature conspires,To approve our desires,For she cautions us not to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Counteract, then, we must

A decree so unjust,

Which our wise constitution depraves;

And all nature conspires,

To approve our desires,

For she cautions us not to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

As the sun’s lucid rayTo all nations gives day,And a world from obscurity saves;So all happy and free,George’s subjects should be,ThenAmericansmust not be slaves, brave boys! etc.

As the sun’s lucid ray

To all nations gives day,

And a world from obscurity saves;

So all happy and free,

George’s subjects should be,

ThenAmericansmust not be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Heaven only controlsThe great deep as it rolls,And the tide which our country lavesEmphatical roarsThis advice to our shores,O!Americans, never be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Heaven only controls

The great deep as it rolls,

And the tide which our country laves

Emphatical roars

This advice to our shores,

O!Americans, never be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Hark! the wind, as it flies,Though o’errul’d by the skies,While it each meaner obstacle braves,Seems to say, “Be like me,Always loyally free,But ah! never consent to be slaves,” brave boys! etc.

Hark! the wind, as it flies,

Though o’errul’d by the skies,

While it each meaner obstacle braves,

Seems to say, “Be like me,

Always loyally free,

But ah! never consent to be slaves,” brave boys! etc.

To our monarch, we know,Due allegiance we owe,Who the sceptre so rightfully waves;But no sovereign we own,But the king on his throne,And we cannot, to subjects, be slaves, brave boys! etc.

To our monarch, we know,

Due allegiance we owe,

Who the sceptre so rightfully waves;

But no sovereign we own,

But the king on his throne,

And we cannot, to subjects, be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Though fools stupidly tell,That we mean to rebel,Yet all each American craves,Is but to be free,As we surely must be,For we never were born to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Though fools stupidly tell,

That we mean to rebel,

Yet all each American craves,

Is but to be free,

As we surely must be,

For we never were born to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

But whoever, in spiteAt American right,Like insolent Haman behaves;Or would wish to grow greatOn the spoils of the state,May he and his children be slaves, brave boys! etc.

But whoever, in spite

At American right,

Like insolent Haman behaves;

Or would wish to grow great

On the spoils of the state,

May he and his children be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Though against the repeal,With intemperate zeal,ProudGranvilleso brutishly raves;Yet our conduct shall show,And our enemies know,ThatAmericansscorn to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

Though against the repeal,

With intemperate zeal,

ProudGranvilleso brutishly raves;

Yet our conduct shall show,

And our enemies know,

ThatAmericansscorn to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

With the beasts of the wood,We will ramble for food,We will lodge in wild deserts and caves;And live poor as Job,On the skirts of the globe,Before we’ll submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

With the beasts of the wood,

We will ramble for food,

We will lodge in wild deserts and caves;

And live poor as Job,

On the skirts of the globe,

Before we’ll submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc.

The birth-right we holdShall never be sold,But sacred maintain’d to our graves;And before we’ll comply,We will gallantly die,For we must not, we will not be slaves, brave boys!For we must not, we will not be slaves!

The birth-right we hold

Shall never be sold,

But sacred maintain’d to our graves;

And before we’ll comply,

We will gallantly die,

For we must not, we will not be slaves, brave boys!

For we must not, we will not be slaves!

We have copies of four metrical accounts of the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor, two of which appear to have been written since the close of the war. We give one of the oldest, which was sung to the tune of “The Hosier’s Ghost.”

BALLAD OF THE TEA PARTY.As near beauteous Boston lyingOn the gently swelling flood,Without jack or pennant flying,Three ill-fated tea-ships rode;Just as glorious Sol was setting,On the wharf a numerous crew,Sons of Freedom, fear forgetting,Suddenly appeared in view.Armed with hammers, axes, chisels,Weapons new for warlike deed,Toward the tax’d-tea-freighted vesselsThey came boldly and with speed.O’er their heads in lofty mid-sky,Three bright angel forms were seen,This wasHampden, that wasSidney,With fair Liberty between.“Soon,” they cried, “your foes you’ll banish,Soon the triumph will be won,Scarce the setting sun shall vanishEre the glorious deed is done!”Quick as thought the ships were boarded,Hatches burst and chests displayed;Axes, hammers, help afforded,What a crush that eve was made!Deep into the sea descendedCursed weed of China’s coast;Thus at once our fears were ended!⁠—British rights shall ne’er be lost!Captains, once more hoist your streamers,Spread your sails and plough the wave,Tell your mastersthey were dreamersWhen they thought to cheat the brave!

BALLAD OF THE TEA PARTY.

As near beauteous Boston lyingOn the gently swelling flood,Without jack or pennant flying,Three ill-fated tea-ships rode;

As near beauteous Boston lying

On the gently swelling flood,

Without jack or pennant flying,

Three ill-fated tea-ships rode;

Just as glorious Sol was setting,On the wharf a numerous crew,Sons of Freedom, fear forgetting,Suddenly appeared in view.

Just as glorious Sol was setting,

On the wharf a numerous crew,

Sons of Freedom, fear forgetting,

Suddenly appeared in view.

Armed with hammers, axes, chisels,Weapons new for warlike deed,Toward the tax’d-tea-freighted vesselsThey came boldly and with speed.

Armed with hammers, axes, chisels,

Weapons new for warlike deed,

Toward the tax’d-tea-freighted vessels

They came boldly and with speed.

O’er their heads in lofty mid-sky,Three bright angel forms were seen,This wasHampden, that wasSidney,With fair Liberty between.

O’er their heads in lofty mid-sky,

Three bright angel forms were seen,

This wasHampden, that wasSidney,

With fair Liberty between.

“Soon,” they cried, “your foes you’ll banish,Soon the triumph will be won,Scarce the setting sun shall vanishEre the glorious deed is done!”

“Soon,” they cried, “your foes you’ll banish,

Soon the triumph will be won,

Scarce the setting sun shall vanish

Ere the glorious deed is done!”

Quick as thought the ships were boarded,Hatches burst and chests displayed;Axes, hammers, help afforded,What a crush that eve was made!

Quick as thought the ships were boarded,

Hatches burst and chests displayed;

Axes, hammers, help afforded,

What a crush that eve was made!

Deep into the sea descendedCursed weed of China’s coast;Thus at once our fears were ended!⁠—British rights shall ne’er be lost!

Deep into the sea descended

Cursed weed of China’s coast;

Thus at once our fears were ended!⁠—

British rights shall ne’er be lost!

Captains, once more hoist your streamers,Spread your sails and plough the wave,Tell your mastersthey were dreamersWhen they thought to cheat the brave!

Captains, once more hoist your streamers,

Spread your sails and plough the wave,

Tell your mastersthey were dreamers

When they thought to cheat the brave!

One of the most ingenious poets of our revolutionary era was Dr. J. M. Sewall, of New Hampshire. He translated the works of Ossian, which were then attracting much attention, into English verse, and wrote numerous songs, odes, elegies and dramatic pieces. His epilogue to Addison’s Cato, beginning,

We see mankind the same in every age,

is still familiar, from having been incorporated into two or three books of reading lessons for the schools, in a time when it was thought to be of some consequence that works of that description should inculcate patriotic sentiments. The most famous of his productions, however, was “War and Washington,” written soon after the battle of Lexington, and sung with enthusiasm, in all parts of the country, until the close of the Revolution. It has been too often printed to be regarded now as a curiosity, and we therefore quote from it but a few verses.

Vain Britons boast no longer, with proud indignity,Of all your conquering legions, or of your strength at sea,As we, your braver sons, incensed, our arms have girded on,Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, forWarandWashington!Still deaf to mild entreaties, still blind to England’s good,They have, for thirty pieces, betray’d their country’s blood.Like Esop’s greedy cur they’ll gain a shadow for their bone,Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspired byWashington!Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible!The blundering schemes of Britain, her folly, pride and zeal.Like lions how they growl and threat, like asses blunder on!Yet vain are all their efforts still, against ourWashington!Great God! is this the nation, whose arms so oft were hurl’d,Through Europe, Afric, India? whose Navy rul’d a world!The lustre of her former deeds, whole ages of renown,Lost in a moment, or transfer’d, to us andWashington!Should George, too choice of Britons, to foreign realms apply,And madly arm half Europe, yet still we would defyTurk, Hessian, Jew or Infidel, or all those powers in one,While Adams guides our senate, our armyWashington!

Vain Britons boast no longer, with proud indignity,

Of all your conquering legions, or of your strength at sea,

As we, your braver sons, incensed, our arms have girded on,

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, forWarandWashington!

Still deaf to mild entreaties, still blind to England’s good,They have, for thirty pieces, betray’d their country’s blood.Like Esop’s greedy cur they’ll gain a shadow for their bone,Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspired byWashington!

Still deaf to mild entreaties, still blind to England’s good,

They have, for thirty pieces, betray’d their country’s blood.

Like Esop’s greedy cur they’ll gain a shadow for their bone,

Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspired byWashington!

Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible!The blundering schemes of Britain, her folly, pride and zeal.Like lions how they growl and threat, like asses blunder on!Yet vain are all their efforts still, against ourWashington!

Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible!

The blundering schemes of Britain, her folly, pride and zeal.

Like lions how they growl and threat, like asses blunder on!

Yet vain are all their efforts still, against ourWashington!

Great God! is this the nation, whose arms so oft were hurl’d,Through Europe, Afric, India? whose Navy rul’d a world!The lustre of her former deeds, whole ages of renown,Lost in a moment, or transfer’d, to us andWashington!

Great God! is this the nation, whose arms so oft were hurl’d,

Through Europe, Afric, India? whose Navy rul’d a world!

The lustre of her former deeds, whole ages of renown,

Lost in a moment, or transfer’d, to us andWashington!

Should George, too choice of Britons, to foreign realms apply,And madly arm half Europe, yet still we would defyTurk, Hessian, Jew or Infidel, or all those powers in one,While Adams guides our senate, our armyWashington!

Should George, too choice of Britons, to foreign realms apply,

And madly arm half Europe, yet still we would defy

Turk, Hessian, Jew or Infidel, or all those powers in one,

While Adams guides our senate, our armyWashington!

We have not room to copy,in extenso, more of those songs which served no less than the most eloquent orations of the time to kindle the patriotic enthusiasm of our fathers, in the first years of the struggle for independence; and after giving specimen verses of one or two others, will pass to the more strictly historical ballads. We may as well here remark that the orthography and rhythmical construction of many of the old songs and ballads varies in the different editions—the earliest usually being most correct—and that we have copied from the least inharmonious and corrupt, sometimes giving one verse from one and another verse from another impression of the same production. The following stanzas are from “The Rallying Song,” written soon after the friendly disposition of the government of the unfortunate Louis XIV. was made known in this country.

Freedom’s sons who wish to shineBright in future story,Haste to arms and join the lineMarching on to glory.Leave the scythe and seize the sword,Brave the worst of dangers!Freedomis the only word⁠—We to fear are strangers.From your mountains quick advanceHearts of oak and iron arms—Lo! the cheering sounds from FranceSpread amid the foe alarms!Leave the scythe and seize the sword,Brave the worst of dangers!Freedomis the only word⁠—Come and join the Rangers!

Freedom’s sons who wish to shine

Bright in future story,

Haste to arms and join the line

Marching on to glory.

Leave the scythe and seize the sword,

Brave the worst of dangers!

Freedomis the only word⁠—

We to fear are strangers.

From your mountains quick advanceHearts of oak and iron arms—Lo! the cheering sounds from FranceSpread amid the foe alarms!Leave the scythe and seize the sword,Brave the worst of dangers!Freedomis the only word⁠—Come and join the Rangers!

From your mountains quick advance

Hearts of oak and iron arms—

Lo! the cheering sounds from France

Spread amid the foe alarms!

Leave the scythe and seize the sword,

Brave the worst of dangers!

Freedomis the only word⁠—

Come and join the Rangers!

From “The Green Mountain Boys’ Song,” composed, apparently, in the early part of the contest, we have space for the chorus only. Though less poetical than some others, the entire production is animated in sentiment and smoothly versified. We have no clue to its authorship, though, like “The Rallying Song,” “The American Rifleman,” and many other lyrics of the same description, it appears to have been written in Vermont.

Then draw the trusty blade, my boys,And fling the sheath away—Blow high, blow low, come weal, come wo,Strike for America!Strike for America, my boys,Strike for America!Come weal, come wo, blow high, blow low,Strike for America!

Then draw the trusty blade, my boys,

And fling the sheath away—

Blow high, blow low, come weal, come wo,

Strike for America!

Strike for America, my boys,

Strike for America!

Come weal, come wo, blow high, blow low,

Strike for America!

We have discovered but one narrative song relating to the Battle of Trenton, and that was probably written a year or two after the event.

BATTLE OF TRENTON.On Christmas day in ’76,Our rugged troops with bayonets fix’d,For Trenton marched away.The Delaware see, the boats below,The light obscured by hail and snow,But no signs of dismay.Our object was the Hessian band,That dared invade fair Freedom’s land,And quarter in that place.Great Washington he led us on,Whose streaming flag, in storm or sun,Had never known disgrace.In silent march we pass’d the night,Each soldier panting for the fight,Though quite benumb’d with frost.Greene on the left, at six began,The right was with brave Sullivan,Who ne’er a moment lost.Their pickets storm’d, the alarm was spread,That rebels risen from the deadWere marching into town.Some scamper’d here, some scamper’d there,And some for action did prepare,But soon their arms laid down.Twelve hundred servile miscreants,With all their colors, guns and tents,Were trophies of the day.The frolic o’er, the bright canteen,In centre, front, and rear was seenDriving fatigue away.Now, brothers of the patriot bands,Let’s sing deliverance from the handsOf arbitrary sway.And as our life is but a span,Let’s touch the tankard while we can,In memory of that day.

BATTLE OF TRENTON.

On Christmas day in ’76,Our rugged troops with bayonets fix’d,For Trenton marched away.The Delaware see, the boats below,The light obscured by hail and snow,But no signs of dismay.

On Christmas day in ’76,

Our rugged troops with bayonets fix’d,

For Trenton marched away.

The Delaware see, the boats below,

The light obscured by hail and snow,

But no signs of dismay.

Our object was the Hessian band,That dared invade fair Freedom’s land,And quarter in that place.Great Washington he led us on,Whose streaming flag, in storm or sun,Had never known disgrace.

Our object was the Hessian band,

That dared invade fair Freedom’s land,

And quarter in that place.

Great Washington he led us on,

Whose streaming flag, in storm or sun,

Had never known disgrace.

In silent march we pass’d the night,Each soldier panting for the fight,Though quite benumb’d with frost.Greene on the left, at six began,The right was with brave Sullivan,Who ne’er a moment lost.

In silent march we pass’d the night,

Each soldier panting for the fight,

Though quite benumb’d with frost.

Greene on the left, at six began,

The right was with brave Sullivan,

Who ne’er a moment lost.

Their pickets storm’d, the alarm was spread,That rebels risen from the deadWere marching into town.Some scamper’d here, some scamper’d there,And some for action did prepare,But soon their arms laid down.

Their pickets storm’d, the alarm was spread,

That rebels risen from the dead

Were marching into town.

Some scamper’d here, some scamper’d there,

And some for action did prepare,

But soon their arms laid down.

Twelve hundred servile miscreants,With all their colors, guns and tents,Were trophies of the day.The frolic o’er, the bright canteen,In centre, front, and rear was seenDriving fatigue away.

Twelve hundred servile miscreants,

With all their colors, guns and tents,

Were trophies of the day.

The frolic o’er, the bright canteen,

In centre, front, and rear was seen

Driving fatigue away.

Now, brothers of the patriot bands,Let’s sing deliverance from the handsOf arbitrary sway.And as our life is but a span,Let’s touch the tankard while we can,In memory of that day.

Now, brothers of the patriot bands,

Let’s sing deliverance from the hands

Of arbitrary sway.

And as our life is but a span,

Let’s touch the tankard while we can,

In memory of that day.

Burgoyne, more frequently than other British officer, was the butt of the continental wits. His verses were parodied, his amours celebrated in songs of the mess-table, and his boasts and the weaker points in his nature caricatured in ballads andpetitecomedies. We obtained a manuscript copy of the song from which the following verses are quoted, from an octogenarian Vermonter who, with the feeble frame, shrill voice and silvered locks of eighty-seven, would give the echoing chorus with as much enthusiasm as when he joined in it with his camp-companions more than half a century ago.

THE PROGRESS OF SIR JACK BRAG.SaidBurgoyneto his men, as they passed in review,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!These rebels their course very quickly will rue,And fly as the leaves ’fore the autumn tempest flew,Whenhim who is your leaderthey know, boys!They withmenhave now to deal,And we soon will make them feel—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!That a loyal Briton’s arm and a loyal Briton’s steelCan put to flight a rebel as quick as other foe, boys!Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo⁠—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!As to Sa-ra-tog’ he came, thinking how tojothe game,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!He began to see the grubs, in the branches of his fame,He began to have thetrembleslest a flash should be the flame,For which he had agreed his perfume to forego, boys!No lack of skill, but fates,Shall makes us yield toGates,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!The devils may have leagued, as you know, with the States,But we never will be beat by any mortal foe, boys!Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!

THE PROGRESS OF SIR JACK BRAG.

SaidBurgoyneto his men, as they passed in review,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!These rebels their course very quickly will rue,And fly as the leaves ’fore the autumn tempest flew,Whenhim who is your leaderthey know, boys!They withmenhave now to deal,And we soon will make them feel—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!That a loyal Briton’s arm and a loyal Briton’s steelCan put to flight a rebel as quick as other foe, boys!Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo⁠—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!

SaidBurgoyneto his men, as they passed in review,

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!

These rebels their course very quickly will rue,

And fly as the leaves ’fore the autumn tempest flew,

Whenhim who is your leaderthey know, boys!

They withmenhave now to deal,

And we soon will make them feel—

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!

That a loyal Briton’s arm and a loyal Briton’s steel

Can put to flight a rebel as quick as other foe, boys!

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo⁠—

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!

As to Sa-ra-tog’ he came, thinking how tojothe game,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!He began to see the grubs, in the branches of his fame,He began to have thetrembleslest a flash should be the flame,For which he had agreed his perfume to forego, boys!No lack of skill, but fates,Shall makes us yield toGates,Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!The devils may have leagued, as you know, with the States,But we never will be beat by any mortal foe, boys!Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo—Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!

As to Sa-ra-tog’ he came, thinking how tojothe game,

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!

He began to see the grubs, in the branches of his fame,

He began to have thetrembleslest a flash should be the flame,

For which he had agreed his perfume to forego, boys!

No lack of skill, but fates,

Shall makes us yield toGates,

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo, boys!

The devils may have leagued, as you know, with the States,

But we never will be beat by any mortal foe, boys!

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo—

Tullalo, tullalo, tullalo-o-o-o, boys!

We believe the “Progress of Sir Jack Brag” has never been printed. The only clue to its authorship with which we are acquainted is the signature, “G. of H.” It was probably written soon after the defeat of its hero at Saratoga. Another ballad on the same subject is entitled

THE FATE OF JOHN BURGOYNE.[9][10]When Jack the king’s commanderWas going to his duty,Through all the crowd he smiled and bowedTo every blooming beauty.The city rung with feats he’d doneIn Portugal and Flanders,And all the town thought he’d be crownedThe first of Alexanders.To Hampton Court he first repairsTo kiss great George’s hand, sirs;Then to harangue on state affairsBefore he left the land, sirs.The “Lower House” sat mute as mouseTo hear his grand oration;And “all the peers,” with loudest cheers,Proclaimed him to the nation.Then off he went to Canada,Next to Ticonderoga,And quitting those away he goesStraightway to Saratoga.With great parade his march he madeTo gain his wished-for station.While far and wide his minions hiedTo spread his “proclamation.”To such as staid he offers madeOf “pardononsubmission;But savage bands should waste the landsOfallinopposition.”But ah, the cruel fates of war!This boasted son of Britain,When mounting his triumphal carWith sudden fear was smitten.The sons of Freedom gathered round,His hostile bands confounded,And when they’d fain have turned their backThey found themselves surrounded!In vain they fought, in vain they fled,Their chief, humane and tender,To save the rest soon thought it bestHis forces to surrender.BraveSt. Clairwhen he first retiredKnew what the fates portended;AndArnoldand heroicGatesHis conduct have defended.Thus may America’s brave sonsWith honor be rewarded,And be the fate of all her foesThe same as here recorded.

THE FATE OF JOHN BURGOYNE.[9][10]

When Jack the king’s commanderWas going to his duty,Through all the crowd he smiled and bowedTo every blooming beauty.

When Jack the king’s commander

Was going to his duty,

Through all the crowd he smiled and bowed

To every blooming beauty.

The city rung with feats he’d doneIn Portugal and Flanders,And all the town thought he’d be crownedThe first of Alexanders.

The city rung with feats he’d done

In Portugal and Flanders,

And all the town thought he’d be crowned

The first of Alexanders.

To Hampton Court he first repairsTo kiss great George’s hand, sirs;Then to harangue on state affairsBefore he left the land, sirs.

To Hampton Court he first repairs

To kiss great George’s hand, sirs;

Then to harangue on state affairs

Before he left the land, sirs.

The “Lower House” sat mute as mouseTo hear his grand oration;And “all the peers,” with loudest cheers,Proclaimed him to the nation.

The “Lower House” sat mute as mouse

To hear his grand oration;

And “all the peers,” with loudest cheers,

Proclaimed him to the nation.

Then off he went to Canada,Next to Ticonderoga,And quitting those away he goesStraightway to Saratoga.

Then off he went to Canada,

Next to Ticonderoga,

And quitting those away he goes

Straightway to Saratoga.

With great parade his march he madeTo gain his wished-for station.While far and wide his minions hiedTo spread his “proclamation.”

With great parade his march he made

To gain his wished-for station.

While far and wide his minions hied

To spread his “proclamation.”

To such as staid he offers madeOf “pardononsubmission;But savage bands should waste the landsOfallinopposition.”

To such as staid he offers made

Of “pardononsubmission;

But savage bands should waste the lands

Ofallinopposition.”

But ah, the cruel fates of war!This boasted son of Britain,When mounting his triumphal carWith sudden fear was smitten.

But ah, the cruel fates of war!

This boasted son of Britain,

When mounting his triumphal car

With sudden fear was smitten.

The sons of Freedom gathered round,His hostile bands confounded,And when they’d fain have turned their backThey found themselves surrounded!

The sons of Freedom gathered round,

His hostile bands confounded,

And when they’d fain have turned their back

They found themselves surrounded!

In vain they fought, in vain they fled,Their chief, humane and tender,To save the rest soon thought it bestHis forces to surrender.

In vain they fought, in vain they fled,

Their chief, humane and tender,

To save the rest soon thought it best

His forces to surrender.

BraveSt. Clairwhen he first retiredKnew what the fates portended;AndArnoldand heroicGatesHis conduct have defended.

BraveSt. Clairwhen he first retired

Knew what the fates portended;

AndArnoldand heroicGates

His conduct have defended.

Thus may America’s brave sonsWith honor be rewarded,And be the fate of all her foesThe same as here recorded.

Thus may America’s brave sons

With honor be rewarded,

And be the fate of all her foes

The same as here recorded.

[9]The following curious account of the overthrow of Burgoyne at Saratoga, on the 17th of October, 1777, was probably written soon after that memorable event.Here followeth the direful fateOf Burgoyne and his army greatWho so proudly did displayThe terrors of despotic sway.His power and pride and many threatsHave been brought low by fort’nate Gates,To bend to the United States.

[9]

The following curious account of the overthrow of Burgoyne at Saratoga, on the 17th of October, 1777, was probably written soon after that memorable event.

Here followeth the direful fateOf Burgoyne and his army greatWho so proudly did displayThe terrors of despotic sway.His power and pride and many threatsHave been brought low by fort’nate Gates,To bend to the United States.

Here followeth the direful fate

Of Burgoyne and his army great

Who so proudly did display

The terrors of despotic sway.

His power and pride and many threats

Have been brought low by fort’nate Gates,

To bend to the United States.

[10]British prisoners by Convention,2142Foreigners—by Contra-vention,2188Tories sent across the Lake,1100Burgoyne and his suite, in state,12Sick and wounded, bruised and pounded,}Ne’er so much before confounded,}528Prisoners of war before Convention,400Deserters come with kind intention,300They lost at Bennington’s great battle, }Where Starke’s glorious arms did rattle,}1220Killed in September and October,600Ta’en by brave Brown,[A]some drunk, some sober,413Slain by high-flamed Herkerman[B]}On both flanks, on rear and van, }300Indians, suttlers, butchers, drovers,}Enough to crowd large plains all over,}And those whom grim Death did prevent}From fighting against our continent;}And also those who stole away,}Lest they down their arms should lay,}Abhorring that obnoxious day: }4413The whole make fourteen thousand men, }Who may not with us fight again. }14,000This is a pretty just accountOf Burgoyne’s legions’ whole amount,Who came across the Northern LakesTo desolate our happy States.Their brass cannons we have got all⁠—Fifty-six—both great and small;And ten thousand stand of arms,To prevent all future harms;Stores and implements complete,Of workmanship exceeding neat;Covered wagons in great plenty,And proper harness, no way scanty.Among our prisoners there areSix generals, of fame most rare;Six members of their Parliament⁠—Reluctantly they seem content;Three British lords, and Lord Belcarras,Who came, our country free to harass.Two baronets, of high extraction,Were sorely wounded in the action.

[10]

This is a pretty just accountOf Burgoyne’s legions’ whole amount,Who came across the Northern LakesTo desolate our happy States.Their brass cannons we have got all⁠—Fifty-six—both great and small;And ten thousand stand of arms,To prevent all future harms;Stores and implements complete,Of workmanship exceeding neat;Covered wagons in great plenty,And proper harness, no way scanty.Among our prisoners there areSix generals, of fame most rare;Six members of their Parliament⁠—Reluctantly they seem content;Three British lords, and Lord Belcarras,Who came, our country free to harass.Two baronets, of high extraction,Were sorely wounded in the action.

This is a pretty just account

Of Burgoyne’s legions’ whole amount,

Who came across the Northern Lakes

To desolate our happy States.

Their brass cannons we have got all⁠—

Fifty-six—both great and small;

And ten thousand stand of arms,

To prevent all future harms;

Stores and implements complete,

Of workmanship exceeding neat;

Covered wagons in great plenty,

And proper harness, no way scanty.

Among our prisoners there are

Six generals, of fame most rare;

Six members of their Parliament⁠—

Reluctantly they seem content;

Three British lords, and Lord Belcarras,

Who came, our country free to harass.

Two baronets, of high extraction,

Were sorely wounded in the action.

[A]Col. John Brown, of Mass.

[A]

Col. John Brown, of Mass.

[B]Gen. Herkimer, of N. York, (probably.)

[B]

Gen. Herkimer, of N. York, (probably.)

The Massacre of Wyoming was minutely described in several ballads written before the year 1785, which, we were surprised to find, are unnoticed by Mr.Stoneand the other historians of that celebrated valley. They will probably be preserved in Mr.Miner’s forthcoming “Annals.” We quote a few stanzas from the longest one in our possession.

Now as they fly, theyquarterscry,Oh hear, indulgent Heaven!How hard to state their dreadful fate,No quarters must be given!Some men were found, a-flying round,Sagacious to get clear;In vain they fly, the foe is nigh,On flank, in front, and rear!The enemy did win the day,Methinks their words were these:“You cursed rebel Yankee race,Will this your Congress please?”

Now as they fly, theyquarterscry,Oh hear, indulgent Heaven!How hard to state their dreadful fate,No quarters must be given!

Now as they fly, theyquarterscry,

Oh hear, indulgent Heaven!

How hard to state their dreadful fate,

No quarters must be given!

Some men were found, a-flying round,Sagacious to get clear;In vain they fly, the foe is nigh,On flank, in front, and rear!

Some men were found, a-flying round,

Sagacious to get clear;

In vain they fly, the foe is nigh,

On flank, in front, and rear!

The enemy did win the day,Methinks their words were these:“You cursed rebel Yankee race,Will this your Congress please?”

The enemy did win the day,

Methinks their words were these:

“You cursed rebel Yankee race,

Will this your Congress please?”

The death of Andre—just and necessary as it unquestionably was—has been lamented in a hundred songs; while the chivalrous and accomplished Hale, murdered with a brutality that would have shocked the sensibilities of the most depraved and desperate brigands, is alluded to in but a single ballad among those which have been preserved until our own time. We transcribe, from the oldest copy in our possession, the once popular lyric called

BRAVE PAWLING AND THE SPY.Come, all you brave Americans, and unto me give ear,And I’ll sing you a ditty that will your spirits cheer,Concerning a young gentleman whose age was twenty-two;He fought for North America; his heart was just and true.They took him from his dwelling, and they did him confine,They cast him into prison, and kept him there a time;But he with resolution resolved not long to stay;He set himself at liberty, and soon he ran away.He with a scouting-party went down to Tarrytown,Where he met a British officer, a man of high renown;Who says unto these gentlemen, “You’re of the British cheer,I trust that you can tell me if there’s any danger near?”Then up stept this young hero,John Pawlingwas his name,“Sir, tell us where you’re going, and also whence you came?”“I bear the British flag, sir; I’ve a pass to go this way,I’m on an expedition, and have no time to stay.”Then round him came this company, and bid him to dismount;“Come tell us where you’re going, give us a strict account;For we are now resolved that you shall ne’er pass by.”Upon examination they found he was a spy.He begged for his liberty, he plead for his discharge,And oftentimes he told them, if they’d set him at large,“Here’s all the gold and silver I have laid up in store,But when I reach the city, I’ll give you ten times more.”“I want not the gold and silver you have laid up in store,And when you get to New York you need not send us more.But you may take your sword in hand, to gain your liberty,And if that you do conquer me, O, then you shall be free.”“The time it is improper our valor for to try,For if we take our swords in hand, then one of us must die;I am a man of honor, with courage brave and bold,And I fear not the face of clay, although ’tis clothed in gold.”He saw that his conspiracy would soon be brought to light;He begg’d for pen and paper, and asked leave to writeA line toGeneral Arnold, to let him know his fate,And beg for his assistance; but now it was too late.When the news it came toArnold, it put him in a fret;He walk’d the room in trouble, till tears his cheeks did wet;The story soon went thro’ the camp, and also thro’ the fort;And he called for the Vulture, and sailed for New-York.NowArnoldto New York has gone, a fighting for his king,And left poor MajorAndre, on the gallows for to swing;When he was executed, he look’d both meek and mild;He look’d on his spectators, and pleasantly he smiled.It moved each eye with pity, caused every heart to bleed;And every one wish’d him released and Arnold in his stead.He was a man of honor, in Britain he was born;To die upon the gallows most highly he did scorn.A bumper to JOHN PAWLING! now let your voices sound,Fill up your flowing glasses, and drink his health around;Also to those young gentlemen who bore him company;Success to North America, ye sons of liberty!

BRAVE PAWLING AND THE SPY.

Come, all you brave Americans, and unto me give ear,And I’ll sing you a ditty that will your spirits cheer,Concerning a young gentleman whose age was twenty-two;He fought for North America; his heart was just and true.

Come, all you brave Americans, and unto me give ear,

And I’ll sing you a ditty that will your spirits cheer,

Concerning a young gentleman whose age was twenty-two;

He fought for North America; his heart was just and true.

They took him from his dwelling, and they did him confine,They cast him into prison, and kept him there a time;But he with resolution resolved not long to stay;He set himself at liberty, and soon he ran away.

They took him from his dwelling, and they did him confine,

They cast him into prison, and kept him there a time;

But he with resolution resolved not long to stay;

He set himself at liberty, and soon he ran away.

He with a scouting-party went down to Tarrytown,Where he met a British officer, a man of high renown;Who says unto these gentlemen, “You’re of the British cheer,I trust that you can tell me if there’s any danger near?”

He with a scouting-party went down to Tarrytown,

Where he met a British officer, a man of high renown;

Who says unto these gentlemen, “You’re of the British cheer,

I trust that you can tell me if there’s any danger near?”

Then up stept this young hero,John Pawlingwas his name,“Sir, tell us where you’re going, and also whence you came?”“I bear the British flag, sir; I’ve a pass to go this way,I’m on an expedition, and have no time to stay.”

Then up stept this young hero,John Pawlingwas his name,

“Sir, tell us where you’re going, and also whence you came?”

“I bear the British flag, sir; I’ve a pass to go this way,

I’m on an expedition, and have no time to stay.”

Then round him came this company, and bid him to dismount;“Come tell us where you’re going, give us a strict account;For we are now resolved that you shall ne’er pass by.”Upon examination they found he was a spy.

Then round him came this company, and bid him to dismount;

“Come tell us where you’re going, give us a strict account;

For we are now resolved that you shall ne’er pass by.”

Upon examination they found he was a spy.

He begged for his liberty, he plead for his discharge,And oftentimes he told them, if they’d set him at large,“Here’s all the gold and silver I have laid up in store,But when I reach the city, I’ll give you ten times more.”

He begged for his liberty, he plead for his discharge,

And oftentimes he told them, if they’d set him at large,

“Here’s all the gold and silver I have laid up in store,

But when I reach the city, I’ll give you ten times more.”

“I want not the gold and silver you have laid up in store,And when you get to New York you need not send us more.But you may take your sword in hand, to gain your liberty,And if that you do conquer me, O, then you shall be free.”

“I want not the gold and silver you have laid up in store,

And when you get to New York you need not send us more.

But you may take your sword in hand, to gain your liberty,

And if that you do conquer me, O, then you shall be free.”

“The time it is improper our valor for to try,For if we take our swords in hand, then one of us must die;I am a man of honor, with courage brave and bold,And I fear not the face of clay, although ’tis clothed in gold.”

“The time it is improper our valor for to try,

For if we take our swords in hand, then one of us must die;

I am a man of honor, with courage brave and bold,

And I fear not the face of clay, although ’tis clothed in gold.”

He saw that his conspiracy would soon be brought to light;He begg’d for pen and paper, and asked leave to writeA line toGeneral Arnold, to let him know his fate,And beg for his assistance; but now it was too late.

He saw that his conspiracy would soon be brought to light;

He begg’d for pen and paper, and asked leave to write

A line toGeneral Arnold, to let him know his fate,

And beg for his assistance; but now it was too late.

When the news it came toArnold, it put him in a fret;He walk’d the room in trouble, till tears his cheeks did wet;The story soon went thro’ the camp, and also thro’ the fort;And he called for the Vulture, and sailed for New-York.

When the news it came toArnold, it put him in a fret;

He walk’d the room in trouble, till tears his cheeks did wet;

The story soon went thro’ the camp, and also thro’ the fort;

And he called for the Vulture, and sailed for New-York.

NowArnoldto New York has gone, a fighting for his king,And left poor MajorAndre, on the gallows for to swing;When he was executed, he look’d both meek and mild;He look’d on his spectators, and pleasantly he smiled.

NowArnoldto New York has gone, a fighting for his king,

And left poor MajorAndre, on the gallows for to swing;

When he was executed, he look’d both meek and mild;

He look’d on his spectators, and pleasantly he smiled.

It moved each eye with pity, caused every heart to bleed;And every one wish’d him released and Arnold in his stead.He was a man of honor, in Britain he was born;To die upon the gallows most highly he did scorn.

It moved each eye with pity, caused every heart to bleed;

And every one wish’d him released and Arnold in his stead.

He was a man of honor, in Britain he was born;

To die upon the gallows most highly he did scorn.

A bumper to JOHN PAWLING! now let your voices sound,Fill up your flowing glasses, and drink his health around;Also to those young gentlemen who bore him company;Success to North America, ye sons of liberty!

A bumper to JOHN PAWLING! now let your voices sound,

Fill up your flowing glasses, and drink his health around;

Also to those young gentlemen who bore him company;

Success to North America, ye sons of liberty!

In connection with this we give a specimen of the minstrelsy of the other party. The British and Tories were not often in a singing mood, and their ballads, with few exceptions, are inferior in spirit and temper to those of the Whigs. There is some wit, however, in the following, which is said to have been written by MajorAndre⁠—

THE COW CHASE.PART I.To drive the kine one summer’s morn,The tanner[11]took his way,The calf shall rue that is unbornThe jumbling of that day.And Wayne descending steers shall knowAnd tauntingly deride,And call to mind in every lowThe tanning of his hide.Yet Bergen cows still ruminateUnconscious in the stall,What mighty means were used to getAnd loose them after all.For many heroes bold and braveFrom New-bridge and Tappan,And those that drink Passaic’s wave,And those that eat supaun;And sons of distant DelawareAnd still remoter Shannon,And Major Lee with horses rareAnd Proctor with his cannon.All wond’rous proud in arms they came,What hero could refuse,To tread the rugged path to fame,Who had a pair of shoes?At six, the host with sweating buffArrived at Freedom’s pole,When Wayne, who thought he’d time enough,Thus speechified the whole⁠—“O ye whom glory doth unite,Who Freedom’s cause espouse,Whether the wing that’s doomed to fightOr that to drive the cows,“Ere yet you tempt your further wayOr into action come,Hear, Soldiers, what I have to say,And take a pint of rum.“Intemp’rate valor then will stringEach nervous arm the better,So all the land shall IO sing,And read the General’s letter.“Know that some paltry refugees,Whom I’ve a mind to fight,Are playing h—l amongst the trees,That grow on yonder height.“Their fort and block houses we’ll level,And deal a horrid slaughter,We’ll drive the scoundrels to the devil,And ravish wife and daughter.“I under cover of the attack,Whilst you are all at blows,From English Neighb’rhood and NyackWill drive away the cows;“For well you know the latter isThe serious operation,And fighting with the refugeesIs only demonstration.”His daring words from all the crowd,Such great applause did gain,That every man declar’d aloudFor serious work with Wayne.Then from the cask of rum once moreThey look a heady gill,[12]When one and all they loudly swore,They’d fight upon the hill.But here the muse hath not a strainBefitting such great deeds,Huzza! they cried, huzzah for Wayne,And shouting——. . . . .

THE COW CHASE.

PART I.

To drive the kine one summer’s morn,The tanner[11]took his way,The calf shall rue that is unbornThe jumbling of that day.

To drive the kine one summer’s morn,

The tanner[11]took his way,

The calf shall rue that is unborn

The jumbling of that day.

And Wayne descending steers shall knowAnd tauntingly deride,And call to mind in every lowThe tanning of his hide.

And Wayne descending steers shall know

And tauntingly deride,

And call to mind in every low

The tanning of his hide.

Yet Bergen cows still ruminateUnconscious in the stall,What mighty means were used to getAnd loose them after all.

Yet Bergen cows still ruminate

Unconscious in the stall,

What mighty means were used to get

And loose them after all.

For many heroes bold and braveFrom New-bridge and Tappan,And those that drink Passaic’s wave,And those that eat supaun;

For many heroes bold and brave

From New-bridge and Tappan,

And those that drink Passaic’s wave,

And those that eat supaun;

And sons of distant DelawareAnd still remoter Shannon,And Major Lee with horses rareAnd Proctor with his cannon.

And sons of distant Delaware

And still remoter Shannon,

And Major Lee with horses rare

And Proctor with his cannon.

All wond’rous proud in arms they came,What hero could refuse,To tread the rugged path to fame,Who had a pair of shoes?

All wond’rous proud in arms they came,

What hero could refuse,

To tread the rugged path to fame,

Who had a pair of shoes?

At six, the host with sweating buffArrived at Freedom’s pole,When Wayne, who thought he’d time enough,Thus speechified the whole⁠—

At six, the host with sweating buff

Arrived at Freedom’s pole,

When Wayne, who thought he’d time enough,

Thus speechified the whole⁠—

“O ye whom glory doth unite,Who Freedom’s cause espouse,Whether the wing that’s doomed to fightOr that to drive the cows,

“O ye whom glory doth unite,

Who Freedom’s cause espouse,

Whether the wing that’s doomed to fight

Or that to drive the cows,

“Ere yet you tempt your further wayOr into action come,Hear, Soldiers, what I have to say,And take a pint of rum.

“Ere yet you tempt your further way

Or into action come,

Hear, Soldiers, what I have to say,

And take a pint of rum.

“Intemp’rate valor then will stringEach nervous arm the better,So all the land shall IO sing,And read the General’s letter.

“Intemp’rate valor then will string

Each nervous arm the better,

So all the land shall IO sing,

And read the General’s letter.

“Know that some paltry refugees,Whom I’ve a mind to fight,Are playing h—l amongst the trees,That grow on yonder height.

“Know that some paltry refugees,

Whom I’ve a mind to fight,

Are playing h—l amongst the trees,

That grow on yonder height.

“Their fort and block houses we’ll level,And deal a horrid slaughter,We’ll drive the scoundrels to the devil,And ravish wife and daughter.

“Their fort and block houses we’ll level,

And deal a horrid slaughter,

We’ll drive the scoundrels to the devil,

And ravish wife and daughter.

“I under cover of the attack,Whilst you are all at blows,From English Neighb’rhood and NyackWill drive away the cows;

“I under cover of the attack,

Whilst you are all at blows,

From English Neighb’rhood and Nyack

Will drive away the cows;

“For well you know the latter isThe serious operation,And fighting with the refugeesIs only demonstration.”

“For well you know the latter is

The serious operation,

And fighting with the refugees

Is only demonstration.”

His daring words from all the crowd,Such great applause did gain,That every man declar’d aloudFor serious work with Wayne.

His daring words from all the crowd,

Such great applause did gain,

That every man declar’d aloud

For serious work with Wayne.

Then from the cask of rum once moreThey look a heady gill,[12]When one and all they loudly swore,They’d fight upon the hill.

Then from the cask of rum once more

They look a heady gill,[12]

When one and all they loudly swore,

They’d fight upon the hill.

But here the muse hath not a strainBefitting such great deeds,Huzza! they cried, huzzah for Wayne,And shouting——. . . . .

But here the muse hath not a strain

Befitting such great deeds,

Huzza! they cried, huzzah for Wayne,

And shouting——. . . . .

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