Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PATRIOTIC SONG, by ROYALL TYLER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PATRIOTIC SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come all ye federal heroes
Last Line: That we'll defend, that we'll defend, defend america.
Alternate Author Name(s): Old Simon; S.
Subject(s): Fourth Of July; Patriotism; Stark, John (1728-1822); Warner, Seth (1743-1784); Independence Day


I

COME all ye fed'ral heroes,
Who crown this festive board;
Come crown your sparkling glasses,
Let union be the word:
And when our brimming bumpers,
We quaff this merry day,
We'll gayly sing, we'll gayly sing, huzza America.

II

Our fathers fought for freedom,
Against despotic laws;
Through hunger, cold and hardships,
They gain'd their glorious cause:
By cheerful hearts supported,
They never knew dismay,
But gayly sung, but gayly sung, huzza America.

III

They fought the British Lion,
And tam'd his noble rage;
And can't we their descendants
A poltroon'd frog engage:
We'll teach poor Monsieur Fricasee,
That in the face of day,
We'll bravely fight, we'll bravely fight, for fam'd America.

IV

Let venal French directors,
Insult our native land;
With insolent demeanour,
A Tribute base demand:
We'll teach intriguing Frenchmen,
The tribute which we pay
Are cannon balls, are cannon balls, from proud America.

V

Then rouse ye Vermont farmers,
It is your country cheers;
Your plough shares beat to broad swords,
Your pruning hooks to spears:
Nor let the land that feeds you,
E'er see the fatal day,
When you desert, when you desert, desert America.

VI

And rouse ye Windsor worthies,
Protect your goodly soil;
Remember Starks and Warner,
And all their glorious toil:
And when your country calls you,
Be ready night and day,
Like them to fight, like them to fight, for lov'd America.

VII

Your wives and sweethearts call you
To guard their lovely charms;
May he that wont defend them,
Be banish'd from their arms:
All foreign force we do disdain,
But own their gentle sway,
Huzza the fair, huzza the fair, of North America.

VIII

Great Adams rules our councils,
And we obedience yield;
Brave Washington shall lead us
Again into the field:
For when they are united,
We fear no foreign sway,
But boldly shout, but boldly shout, huzza America.

IX

Let's join our hands together,
In token of our love;
In one firm band of union,
Recorded now above:
And as a band of patriots,
We swear this sacred day,
That we'll defend, that we'll defend, defend America.





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