Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TIMES, by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TIMES, by                    
First Line: "ye brave sons of freedom, come join in the chorus"
Last Line: "but 'union forever,' / shall be our last word"
Subject(s): War Of 1812


YE brave sons of Freedom, come join in the chorus,
At the dangers of war do not let us repine,
But sing and rejoice at the prospect before us,
And drink it success in a bumper of wine.
At the call of the nation,
Let each to his station,
And resist depredation,
Which our country degrades;
Ere the conflict is over,
Our rights we'll recover,
Or punish whoever
Our honor invades.

We're abused and insulted, our country's degraded,
Our rights are infringed both by land and by sea;
Let us rouse up, indignant, when those rights are invaded,
And announce to the world, "We're united and free!"
By our navy's protection
We'll make our election,
And in every direction
Our trade shall be free;
No British oppression,
No Gallic aggression
Shall disturb the possession
We claim to the sea.

Then Columbia's ships shall sail on the ocean,
And the nations of Europe respect us at last:
Our stars and our stripes shall command their devotion,
And Liberty perch on the top of the mast.
Though Bona and John Bull
Continue their long pull,
Till ambition's cup-full
Be drain'd to the lees;
By wisdom directed,
By tyrants respected,
By cannon protected,
We'll traverse the seas.

Though vile combinations to sever the Union
Be projected with caution and managed with care,
Though traitors and Britons, in sweetest communion,
Their patriot virtue unite and compare,
American thunder
Shall rend it asunder,
And ages shall wonder
At the deeds we have done;
And every Tory
When he hears of the story,
Shall repine at the glory
Our heroes have won.

Let local attachments be condemn'd and discarded,
Distrust and suspicion be banish'd the mind,
Let union, our safety, be ever regarded,
When improved by example, by virtue refined.
Our ancestors brought it,
Our sages have taught it,
Our Washington bought it,
'T is our glory and boast!
No factions shall ever
Our government sever,
But "Union forever,"
Shall be our last toast.





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