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SONGS AND BALLADS
OF THE
AMERICAN MYOLUTION
WITH PREFACE
BY
Prof. HENRY L. WILLIAMS
AND WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
FRANK MOORE
" More solid things do not show the complexion of the Times so well,
as Ballads and Libels.'''' — Selden.
NEW YORK
HURST & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1905,
BY
HURST & COMPANY.
PREFACE.
This volume presents a selection from the nu-
merous productions in verse, which appeared during
the war of the American Revolution. Many of them
are taken from the newspapers and periodical issues
of the time ; others from original ballad-sheets and
broadsides ; Avhile some have been received from the
recollections of a few surviving soldiers, who heard
and sang them amid the trials of the camp and
field.
Nearly every company had its " smart one " or
poet, who beguiled the weariness of the march or
the encampment by his minstrelsy, grave or gay ;
and the imiDcrfect fragments which survive to us,
provoke our regret that so few of them have been
preserved.
All that we can claim for the writers of these
songs, is a manifest spirit of devotion to the cause,
and defiance to its enemies. The poesy of their pro-
ductions is meager. They did not write for fame ;
but, in the language of one oi the most honest and
homely of them, " from a great desire to state the
truth, and their opinion of it, in a quiet way, just
set their poetical lathes a-turning, and twisted out
ballads and songs for the good of the common
cause."
3
4 PREFACE.
In the compilation of this work, a few pieces have
been included which do not strictly belong to the
class of songs or ballads ; as in the case of the
"Stamp Act Repeal," "Gentle Shepherd," "Bur-
goyne's Overthrow," etc. ; but their spirit and perti-
nency will, it is believed, justify their position as
illustrative of the times and events to which they
relate, in common with the other material of the
work. The brief notes and illustrations to the dif-
ferent pieces in the collection which have been in-
troduced, are intended to give, as far as practicable,
accounts of their authorship, and to explain some of
the more obscure allusions of the writers.
In conclusion the Editor acknowledges his obliga-
tions to the libraries of the New York Historical
Society, of Yale College and Brown University, and
especially to the officers of these institutions, for
the facility with which he has been enabled to make
use of their valuable collections. To Me. J. Carter
Brown, of Providence, R. I., for access to his rich
and unique collection on American history. To
Col. Peter Force of Washington, for valuable aid
and suggestions. To Mr. E. B. CoRwm of New
York, and the Rev. Dr. R. W. Griswold for similar
favors— and though last, not least, for ready as-
sistance and encouragement, to my brother, Mr.
George H. Moore, librarian of the New York
Historical Society.
New York, December, 1855.
PREFACE.
When we read of the Normans, those i)irates on
>e grandest scale, who conquered kingdoms and
„ptured fleets instead of single ships — we learn
\at they fostered warrior-poets. They were their
umpeters — living clarions which took the place of
"»ur modern bands and incited armies unto the
onslaught. These fighting heralds brought up the
troops and screwed them " to the sticking-point ! "
Between the two lines of battle, even while the
arrows flew, they rode along the array, shouting out
improvised lays in which were rehearsed ancestral
triumjihs, prospect of spoils, the meeds to the vic-
tors, the heavenly comfort for tlie fallen, the crown
to the chief. The names, if not the lays, have come
down to us of these Taillefers ( Iron-cleavers ).
The post was no new one. The ancients had such,
all over the world, the Greeks as the Goths, the
Scalds and the Druids — each nation a Tyrtseus, who
raised the spirits of the bafiled and spurred them
on to redeem defeat and their country's humiliation.
The Wizard Merlin was a national bard : the trou-
badours accompanying their knights to the Cru-
sades, defied the Saracens' " Allah il Allah ! " with
the sonorous Song of Roland. Thomas the Rhymer
5
G PREFACE.
kept up the English courage, and down to Moore's
Minstrel Boy, we see the bugle, fife and drum not
complete without the harp, beside which was the
father's sword. The usage never died out: every
country has its Minstrel of War.
In Germany, you will find Korner, wedded to his
iron bride — the Sword ; France has its impassioned
Rouget de I'lsle, Hugo, Delavigne, Deroulede,
Musset ; England, its naval encourager, Dibdin ;
Russia, its Lermontoff; even petty Portugal, the
great Camoens ; and Spain has no stint of the sing-
ers of the C^d expelling the Moors.
To a great war always responds a great poet — as
Byron sang for Greek independence. King David
for Israel, Hugo for " the Terrible Year."
We Americans are held too practical to be poet-
ical, but where is there a finer, more grandiose pic-
ture than " the Good Gray Poet ( Whitman ),"
perambulating the war-hospitals and succoring the
wounded soldier with ready hand and sublime
cheer ? A breath of battle has always filled the
clarion here, for which the lute and the guitar have
been cast down ; it has elevated on the eve and
exulted on the night of the victory. One may look
to prosaic history for the large pictures, the long
pageants and the great groups, but to the separate
feats, isolated celebrities, episodes in detail, Clio
gives way to Calliope — and even to Momus — that is,
the song- writer comes in and even cracks a joke to
mask his tears. Read in this collection " The Bat-
PREFACE. Y
tie of the Kegs," to find a page to match any in
" Iludibras." Our poet comes m troublous times,
in all guises ; he utters hope to Washington, in
freezing Valley Forge ; prompts Paul Jones on his
submerged ship to respond that he had not " begun
fighting ! " he whispers Persevere ! to Bushnell
launching his first torpedo — the infernal machines
which scared the British.
Very trite the Scot's wish not to frame a nation's
laws but its popular songs ; the gifted man is no
doubt more blessed than the lawgiver, who can
strike out with the pistol-butt on the hostile helmet,
those sparks which, on the cannon-smoke, the
exhausted Continental reads as " Don't give up the
ship ! "
Concurrent poetry, martial, national, manly,
arising from the occurrence, is what photography is
to art ; vivid, real, accurate to detail. The writer
has stood sentry ; walked the bombarded deck ;
charged with our modern Bayards ; trudged the
Virginian lowlands ; stormed the barricades.
You will see the feeling underlying all is love —
love of country, above that of self or pelf. This
links the present and the future of the Republic
with its venerated past. In singing about our
fathers' exploits, we prepare our sons to win similar
laurels. Among them will be found, at our emer-
gencies, more Hales, Reveres, Jaspers, Marions, —
but the list is full long! Each is a type of heroism,
enthusiasm, ambition to serve the native land.
8 PREFACE.
This collection keeps alive the models, sweetened
and sanctified by its proving that our foundation
was soundly laid; it is eternal, for hereby we - feel
oi>r ancestors' sensations and feel them again when
our sons are battling for the same institutions and
prospects.
While there are " one-poem " writers represented
here, there are also plenty of well-known names —
their number and unison testifying that the poetic
heart beats with the throb of the drum and the
cannon boom. But as varied as the authors are,
are the styles and subjects ; from patriotic to pa-
thetic, satirical, and sympathetic, brilliant with wit
or broadly effective in humor. The Anglo-Saxon
may " take his pleasure sadly," but he. has the old,
old craving to fare and sing and laugh heartily in a
war, at a siege, or on a cruise.
To perfect the work, all the explanatory notes
needed are provided ; they are accurate and gossipy
so that they are as readable as the text. They are
history made agreeable without any weakening,
iind fitly enframe these selections : " The living
poems, and all the rest are dead."
H. L. W.
CONTENTS.
PAGff
Taxation of America IS
Liberty Tree 25
Stamp Act Repeal 28
The Gentle Shepherd 32
The Old Woman taught Wisdom 36
The Liberty Song 38
A Parody upon a well-known Liberty Song 42
The Parody Parodized 44=
To the Ladies , 47
Castle Island Song 49
The Taxed Tea 51
Virginia Banishing Tea 54
The Blasted Herb 56
Gage's Proclamation 58
Maryland Resolves 61
Loyal York 64
Banks of the Dee 67
A Parody on the " Banks of the Dee " 69
Liberty's Call 71
Alphabet for Little Masters and Misses 74
The Pennsylvania Song 76
The Irishman's Epistle to the Troops in Boston 77
9
XO CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Burning of Charlestown 80
Trip to Cambridge 83
American ' ' Hearts of Oak " 86
Fish and Tea — A new song to an old tune 88
The Times 90
Collinet and Phebe 93
War Song 94
A Song 96
Off from Boston 99
A Common Prayer for the Times 101
Burrowing Yankees 103
Nathan Hale 104
Sullivan's Island — A new War Song 108
Independence Ill
To the Commons 112
On Independence 114
A Ballad 116
Battle of Trenton 118
Tlie Heads, or the Year 1776 120
The Jerseys; A Parody 122
The Prophetic Egg 125
To Britain 127
General Sullivan's Song 128
Burgoyne's Proclamation 129
Saratoga Song 136
The Fate of John Burgoyne 142
Burgoyne's Overthrow 144
The Gamester 146
The Rebels , 150
CONTENTS. II
PAGE
The Hal: yon Days of Old England 153
British Light Infantry 156
The Old Man's Song 157-
Battle of the Kegs 159
The Epilogue 167
To Washington ; from the British Light Infantry 170
An Affair of Honor 171
Yankee Doodle's Expedition to Rhode Island 175
A Fable 179
Chester ; A Hymn 181
Retrospect : An Anthem from Sundry Scriptures 183
Lord North's Recantation 184
A Prophecy 186
George the Tliird's Soliloquy 187
A Song 190
The Present Age 191
Sir Henry Clinton's Invitation to the Refugees 194
A New Ballad 196
The Etiquette 198
Siege of Savannah 201
A New Song 205
The Recess 206
Dutch Song 208
Volunteer Boys 211
An Appeal 214
Song about Charleston 217
Our Women 219
The Cow Chac(i 221
Brave Paulding and the Spy 233
12 CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sergeant Champa 237
To the Traitor Arnold 246
Battle of King's Mountain 247
New Year's Day, 1781 252
The Soldier at Home 255
Descent on Middlesex 257
The Dance 267
Corn vvallis Burgoyned 269
The South Carolina 272
Thanksgiving Hymn 276
A Fragment 278
A Sonnet on Disbanding the Army 281
Index 283
SONGS AND BALLADS.
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
1765.
Peter St. Jolm, the author of the following excellent
ballad, was a native of Norwalk, Connecticut. During the
early struggles of the Revolution, lie kept a school m his
native town, where he won much renown for the bold prin-
ciples he avowed and inculcated. He wrote many pieces
during the war, some of which are the finest of that period.
At a later time he composed a poem entitled the " Death
of Abel," in which are related " many things which might
probably take place both before and after that barbarous
fratricide."
AMERICAN TAXATION.*
While I relate my story,
Americans give ear ;
' Of Britain's fading glory
You presently shall hear ;
I'll give a true relation,
Attend to what I say
Concerning the taxation
Of North America.
13
14 SONGS AND BALLADS.
The cruel lords of Britain,
Who glory in their shame,
The project they have hit on
They joyfully proclaim ;
'Tis what they're striving after
Our right to take away.
And rob us of our charter
In North America.
There are two mighty speakers,
Who rule in Parliament,
Who ever have been seeking
Some mischief to invent ;
'Twas North, and Bute his father,
The horrid plan did lay
A mighty tax to gather
In North America.
They searched the gloomy regions
Of the infernal pit,
To find among their legions
One who excelled in wit ;
To ask of him assistance,
Or tell them how they may
Subdue Avithout resistance
This North America.
Old Satan the arch traitor.
Who rules the burning lake,
Where his chief navigator,
Kesolved a voyage to take ;
AMERICAN TAXATION. 15
For the Britannic ocean
He launches far away,
To land he had no notion
In North America.
He takes his seat in Britain,
It was his sours intent
Great George's throiae to sit on,
And rule the Parliament ;
His comrades were pursuing
A diabolic way,
For to complete the ruin
Of North America.
He tried the art of magic
To bring his schemes about,
At length the gloomy project
He artfully found out ;
The plan was long indulged
In a clandestine way,
But lately was divulged
In North America.
These subtle arch- combiners
Addressed the British court.
All three were undersigners
Of this obscure report-
There is a pleasant landscape
That lieth far away
Beyond the wide Atlantic,
In North America.
16 SONGS AND BALLADS.
There is a wealthy people,
Who sojourn in that land,
Their churches all with steeples
Most delicately stand ;
Their houses like the gilly,
Are painted red and gay :
They flourish like the lily
In North America.
Their land with milk and honey,
Continually doth flow,
The want of food or money
They seldom ever knoAV :
They heap up golden treasure.
They have no debts to pay.
They spend their time in pleasure
In North America.
On turkeys, fowls and fishes,
Most frequently they dine.
With gold and silver dishes.
Their tables always shine.
They crown their feasts with butter,
They eat, and rise to play ;
In silks their ladies flutter.
In North America.
With gold and silver laces
They do themselves adorn.
The rubies deck their faces.
Refulgent as the morn !
AMERICAN TAXATION. 17
Wine sparkles in their glasses,
They spend each happy day
In merriment and dances
In North America.
Let not our suit affront you,
When we address your throne,
O King, this wealthy country
And subjects are your own,
And you, their rightful sovereign,
They truly must obey,
You have a right to govern
This North America.
O King, you've heard the sequel
Of what we now subscribe.
Is it not just and equal
To tax this wealthy tribe ?
The question being asked.
His majesty did say.
My subjects shall be taxed
In North America.
Invested with a Avarrant,
My publicans shall go.
The tenth of all their current
They surely shall bestow ;
If they indulge rebellion.
Or from my precepts stray,
I'll send my war battalion
To North America.
18 SONGS AND BALLADS.
I'll rally all my forces
By water and by land,
My light dragoons and horses
Shall go at my command ;
I'll burn both town and city,
With smoke becloud the day,
I'll show no human pity
For North America.
Go on, my hearty soldiers.
You need not fear of ill —
There's Hutchinson and Rogers,^
Their functions will fulfill —
They tell such ample stories.
Believe them sure we may.
One half of them are tories
In North America.
My gallant ships are ready
To waft you o'er the flood.
And in my cause be steady,
Which is supremely good ;
Go ravage, steal and i:)lunder.
And you shall have the prey ;
They quickly will knock under
In North America.
The laws I have enacted,
I never will revoke,
Although they are neglected,
My fury to provoke.
A^rERICAN TAXATION. 19
I will forbear to flatter,
I'll rule the mighty sway,
I'll take away the charter
From North America.
O George ! you are distracted,
You'll by experience find.
The laws you have enacted
Are of the blackest kind.
I'll make a short digression,
And tell you by the way.
We fear not your oppression.
In Xorth America.
Our fathers were distressed,
While in their native land;
By tyrants were oppressed
As we do understand ;
For freedom and religion
They were resolved to stray,
And trace the desert regions
Of North America.
Heaven was their sole protector
While on the roaring tide,
Kind fortune their director,
And Providence their guide.
If I am not mistaken.
About the first of May,
This voyage was undertaken
For North America.
20 SONGS AND BALLADS.
If rightly I remember,
This country to explore,
They landed in November
On Plymouth's desert shore.
The savages were nettled,
With fear the)^ fled away.
So peaceably they settled
In North America.
We are their bold descendants,
For liberty we'll fight,^
The claim to independence
We challenge as our right ;
'Tis what kind Heaven gave us,
Who can it take away.
O, Heaven, sure will save us,
In North America.
We never will knock under,
O, George ! we do not fear
The rattling of your thunder.
Nor lightning of your spear :
Though rebels you declare us.
We're strangers to dismay ;
Therefore you cannot scare us
In North America.
To Avhat you have commanded
We never will consent,
Although your troops are landed
Upon our continent ;
AMERICAN TAXATION. 21
We'll take our swords and muskets,
And march in dread ai-ray,
And drive the British red-coats
From North America.
We have a bold commander,
Who fears not sword or gun,
The second Alexander,
His name is Washington.
His men are all collected.
And ready for the fray.
To fight they are directed
For North America.
We've Greene and Gates and Putnam
To manage in the field,
A gallant train of footmen.
Who'd rather die than yield ;
A stately troop of horsemen
Train'd in a martial Avay,
For to augment our forces
In North America.
Proud George, you are engaged
All in a dirty cause,
A cruel war have waged
Repugnant to all laws.
Go tell the savage nations
You're cruder than they.
To fight your own relations
In North America.
22 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Ten millions you've expended,
And twice ten millions more ;
Our riches, you intended
Should pay the mighty score.
Who now will stand your sponsor,
Your charges to defray ?
For sure you cannot conquer
This North America.
I'll tell you, George, in meter,
If you'll attend awhile ;
. We've forced your bold Sir Peter
From Sullivan's fair isle
At Monmouth, too, we gained
The honors of the day —
The victory we obtained
For North America.
Surely we were your betters
Hard by the Brandy wine ;
We laid him fast in fetters
Whose name was John Burgoyne ;
We made your Howe to tremble
With terror and dismay ;
True heroes we resemble,
In North America.
Confusion to the tories,
That black infernal name.
In which Great Britain glories.
For ever to her shame ;
AMERICAN TAXATION, 23
We'll send each foul revolter
To smutty Africa,
Or noose him in a halter,
In North America.
A health to our brave footmen,
Who handle sword and gun.
To Greene and Gates and Putnam
And conquering Washington ;
Their names be wrote in letters
Which never will decay,
While sun and moon do glitter
On North America.
Success unto our allies
In Holland, France and Spain,
Who man their ships and galleys,
Our freedom to maintain ;
May they subdue the rangers
Of proud Britannia,
And drive them from their anchors
In North America.
Success unto the Congress
Of these United States,
Who glory in the conquests
Of Washington and Gates ;
To all, both land and seamen,
Who glory in the day
When we shall all be freemen
In North America.
24: SONGS AND BALLADS.
Success to legislation,
That rules with gentle hand,
To trade and navigation,
By water and by land.
May all with one opinion
Our wholesome laws obey,
Throughout this vast dominion
Of North America.
1 " Stamp Act:' On Monday, the 8th clay of April, 1765.
the ship Edward arrived at New York, bringing tlie "ter-
rible " news of the passage of the Stamp Act. The people
immediately declared their determination to resist it, and
the newspapers of the day declaimed against it, saying " the
account of these resolves must make the ears of every
American, who conceives himself to be a freeman, accord-
ing to the British constitution, to tingle, and fill him with
astonishment." " The whole of the act is so artfully con-
trived and so cautiously guarded, that there is no way to
elude the design of it. but by rejecting tlie whole as an
unconstitutional attempt upon our liberties, and by nobly
opposing every effort that may be made to put it in
execution."
2 " TJiere's Hutchinson, and Rogers. This probably refers
to Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, one of the barristers and
attorneys who were addressers of (lovenior Hutchinson, on
his departure for England in 1774. After the battle of
Breed's Hill, he took refuge in Boston, and was appointed
commissary to the royal troops that continued to occupy
Charlestow^n. At the evacuation of Boston in 1776, he
accompanied the royal army to Halifax, where he died
in 1784.
Sabine's Arner. Loyalists.
^ For Liberty well fight. "Liberty, Property, and No
Stamps," was "the united voice of all His Majesty's free
and loyal subjects in America.'' Tlie following ver.ses ap-
peared during the excitement caused by tlie " odious act,"
accompanied with the remark that " the stanzas are indeed
not very poetical ; but there is no doubt the zeal of the
LIBERTY TREE. 25
author for the cause of liberty will atone for publishing the
laudable attempts of an unpractised muse."
Cursed be the man who e'er sliall raise
His sacrilegious hand.
To drive fair liberty, our praise !
From his own native land.
O may his memory never die,
By future ages curst ;
But live to lasting infamy,
Branded of tray tor's worth.
But happy ! happy ! happy they,
Who in their country's cause
Shall cast reluctant fear away,
Inmiortal in applause !
Who with their conscious virtue girt.
Shan't dread oppression's voice ;
But boldly dare those rights t' assert,
In which all men rejoice.
Holt's Gazette, No. 1169.
LIBERTY TREE.
1765.
This beaTitif ul ballad was written by Thomas Paine, the
author of " The Age of Reason," and published in the
Pennsylvania Magazine of July, 1775, while he was editor
of that periodical. He composed and published many
songs and elegies during his connection with the Magazine.
Among them "The Death of Wolfe, on the plains of
Abraham," is uncommonly pathetic and graceful.
LIBERTY TREE.
In a chariot of light from the regions of day,
The Goddess of Liberty came ;
Ten thousand celestials directed the way,
And hither conducted the dame.
26 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A fair budding branch from the gai'dens above,
Where millions with millions agree,
She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love,
And the plant she named Liberty Tree}
The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground,
Like a native it flourish'd and bore ;
The fame of its fruit drew the nations around.
To seek out this peaceable shore.
Unmindful of names or distinctions they came.
For freemen like brothers agree ;
With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued,
And their temple was Liberty Tree.
Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old,
Their bread in contentment they ate
UnvexVl with the troubles of silver and gold.
The cares of the grand and the great.
With timber and tar they Old England supply'd.
And supported her pow'r on the sea ;
Her battles they fought, without getting a groat,
For the honor of Liberty Tree.
But hear, O ye swains, 'tis a tale most profane.
How all the tyrannical powers.
Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting amain.
To cut down this guardian of ours ;
From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms,
Thro' the land let the sound of it flee.
Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer,
In defense of our Liberty Tree.
LIBERTY TREE. 27
1 Liberty Tree. During tlie Staiiip Act fxcitement there
arose a pra^^tice of signifying public sentiment in a very
etfectual way ; tliough witliout any responsible agent,
unless the inanimate Liberty Tree may be so considered.
This tree was a majestic ehn that stood in front of a liouse
opposite the Boylston market, on the edge of the " Higii
street," in the town of Boston. On the 14th of August,
1765, an effigy representing Andrew Oliver, a gentleman
appointed to distribute tlie stamps, was found hanging
upon this tree, with a paper before it, on whicli was writ-
ten in large characters,
" Fair freedom's glorious cause I've meanh^ quitted,
For the sake of pelf ;
But ah ! tlie Devil lias me outwitted.
And instead of stamping otliers, I've hcmg\l myself.
" P. S. Whoever takes this down is an enemy to his
country."
On the right arm was written " A. O." and on the left,
" Wliat greater pleasure can there be.
Than to see a stcnnp man hanging on a tree ! "
On another part of the tree a hoot was suspended : the
emblem of the Earl of Bute, first Lord of the Treasury,
from which the devil, witli tlie Stamp Act in his hand,
was looking out. Chief Justice (afterwards governor)
Hutchinson, directed the sheriff to remove this exhibition,
but his deputies, from a fear of the popular feeling, de-
clined. In the evening the figures were taken down by
the people and cnrried in procession through tlie streets.
After demolisliing the stamp-office, in State street, they
proceeded to Fort Hill, where a bonfire was made of the
pageantry in sight of Mr. Oliver's house. It being in-
timated to Mr. Oliver that it would conduce to tlie quiet
of the public, if lie would go to the tree and openly resign
his commission, he appeared the next da}', and declared,
in the presence of a large concourse of people, tliat he
would not continue in office. It was thenceforward called
the Liberty Tree, and the following inscription was placed
upon it, " Tliis tree was planted in the year 1614, avd pruned
by the order of the Sons of Liberty, February 14, 1766."
On future occasions there was seldom any excitement on
political subjects, without some evidence of it apf)earing
28 SONGS AND BALLADS.
on this tree. Whenever obnoxious offices were to be re-
signed or agreements for patriotic purposes entered into,
the parties were notified to appear at the tree, "where
they always found pens and paper, and a numerous crowd
of witnesses, though the genius of the tree was invisible.
When the British army took possession of Boston, in 1774,
Liberty Tree fell a victim to their vengeance, or to that of
the persons to whom its sliade had been disagreeable."
Liberty Trees were consecrated in Charlestown, Lexington
and Roxbury, Mass., and also in Charleston, S. C., Newport
and Providence, R. I. — Tudor's Life of Otis.
THE REPEAL.
1766.
The Stamp Act was passed on tlie tenth of January, 1765,
and repealed on the twenty-second of February, of the
next year. The news of its repeal was hailed with joy.
Bonfires illuminated the hills, and the voice of the people
throughout the country united in one earnest display of
exultation and loyalty. Many pieces, both in prose and
meter, appeared at the time, celebrating tlie occasion.
The following is declared, in tlie papers of the day, to have
been spoken at "a mirtliful celebration of the fj^ee in-
habitants of Northampton, Virginia."
STAMP ACT REPEAL.
Ix Greece and Rome renowned for art and arms,
Whose every bosom felt fair Freedom's charms,
Those manly breasts which generous ardor fired,
When public weal their swords or care required ;
When peace abroad their conquering arms procured,
At home, when wisdom, Liberty secured :
Greatly unbending o'er the social bowl,
Indulged the transports of a genial souL
STAMP ACT REPEAL. 29
So we, nor second to those sons of Fame,
In love ot freedom, tho' of humbler name ;
Or dauntless courage, bravely to oppose
Domestic tyrann}^, or foreign foes ; —
We, who far foremost Aere, a virtuous few,
Dare to our country and ourselves be true ;
Who dare, in spite of ev'ry venal frown.
Assert our rights, and lawless power disown ;
Spite of each parasite, each cringing slave.
Each cautious dastard, each oppressive knave ;
Each gibing Ass, that rejjtile of an hoin\
The supercilious pimp of abject slaves in power ;
Spite of those empty boasters, who conceal
Their coward fear with circumspection's veil,
Are met, to celebrate in festive mirth
The day that gives our second freedom birth ;
That tells us, Britahis Grenmlles never more
Shall dare usurp unjust, illegal power,
Or threat Americans free sons with chains,
While the least spark of ancient fire remains ;
While records bid the virtuous sons admire
The godlike acts of each intrepid sire.
Exult America ! each dauntless son
Will ever keep fair Liberty their own ;
Will base submission, servile fear despise.
And Freedom's substance^ not her shadoio prize.
Triumph America ! thy patriot voice
Has made the greatest of mankind rejoice,
Immortal Pitt ! — O ever glorious name !
Far, far unequaled in the rolls of fame !
30 SONGS AND BALLADS.
What breast, for virtue is by all approved,
And freedom even by Asia's slaves beloved, —
What breast but glows with gratitude to thee,
Boast of mankind, great prop of Liberty !
To thee, the best of parents and of friends,
America with grateful homage bends.
Her thanks, her love, unable to express,
To thee, great patron of her happiness.
Raised by thy hand, beneath thy guardian care.
Luxuriant blooms adorn her vernal year ;
And, when rapacious harpies would devour
The infant fruit, and blast the tender flower,
Shielded by thee, she mocks the abortive wiles ;
Beneath thy shade, again her verdure smiles.
Would 'twere in pity to mankind decreed,
That still a Pitt should to a Pitt succeed :
When proud oppression would subvert the laws.
That still a Camden should defend the cause.
Nor let's forget the gallant Barre's merit.
His Tully's periods and his Cato's spirit ;
His, too, an honest independent heart.
Where fear, nor fraud, nor avarice have part :
Or generous Meredith, our worthy friend.
The first our injured freedom to defend ;
Who nobly, not by powerful wrath deterred.
Our just remonstrance and complaints preferred.
Proceed, great names ! your mighty influence join^
Your country's arts, and policies refine :
Assist great Conway, and reform the state ;
Bid peaceful commerce reassume her seat ;
STAMP ACT REPEAL. 31
Bid Bkitish navies whiten ev'ry coast,
And British freedom ev'ry country boast,
Let us then, emulous of each great name
Conspicuous in the ancient page of fame.
Resolve, that freedom to our sons be sped.
Not worse than when our valiant fathers bled :
Emerging glorious from our late distress.
Let ev'ry bosom hail returning peace :
This day let nought but jocund mirth employ,
Relax each brow, and give a loose to joy.
And you, ye fair, on whom our hopes depend,
Our future. fame and empire to extend ;
Whose fruitful beds will dauntless myriads yield.
To fight for freedom in some future field ;
Resign each fear.
To-day, let gladness beam in every face.
Soften each smile and brighten every grace ;
While the glad roofs with lofty notes resound,
With grace harmonious move the mazy round.
Make our hearts feel the long- forgotten fire
Wake into flame each spark of soft desire.
Too long indignant tumults and alarms
Have made us heedless of your lovely charms :
But, now, beneath the downy wings of peace.
With freedom blest, our care shall be to please ;
Each day the genial pleasure to improve,
And add new sweetness to connubial love.
32 SONGS AND BALLADS.
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.
1766.
The incident which gave rise to the following satirical
parody of Pope's second pastoral, occurred during the
debates in Parliament early in the year 1766, which took
place on occasion of the repeal of the famous Cider-tax. a
measure which gave to the inhabitants of the cider-counties
a " taste of the same pleasure, which their brethren in
America about the same time enjoyed " in the repeal of
the Stamp Act. George Grenville, then leader in the
Commons, came to the rescue of Bute, Chancellor of tlie
Exchequer, and spoke strongly on his favorite tlieme, the
profusion with which the late war liad been' carried on.
That profusion, he said, had made taxes necessary. He
called on the gentlemen opposite to him to say where they
would have a tax laid, and dwelt on this topic with his
usual prolixity. " Let them tell me where," he repealed
in a monotonous and somewliat fretful tone. " I say. sir,
let them tell me where. I repeat it, sir. I am entitled to
say to. them. Tell me wliere." Unluckily for him, Pitt had
come down to the House that night, and had been bitterly
provoked by the reflections thrown on the war. He re-
venged himself by murmuring in a whine resembling Gren-
ville's, a line of a well-known song, " Gentle Shepherd,
tell me where.*' " If," cried Grenville, " gentlemen are to
be treated in this wa\' — " Pitt, as was his fashion, when
he meant to mark- extreme contempt, rose deliberately,
made his bow. and walked out of the House, leaving his
brother-in-law in convulsions of rage, and everybody else
in convulsions of laughter. It was long before Grenville
lost the nickname of " Gentle Shepherd." i
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.
A Gentle Shepherd — that's his proper name —
Retired to Stow, far distant from the Thame ;
Where dancing fishes in the basin play'd,
And crowded columns form'd a marble shade :
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD. 33
There, while he mourn'd by streams that never flow,
The statues round a dumb compassion show ;
Tlie worthies listen'd in each sculptur'd hall ;
My Lord, consenting, sat and heard it all.
Ye stubborn York, ye fierce New England crew.
Free from Excise, but not from Customs too,
To you I mourn, nor to the deaf I sing,
Your woods shall answer, and your cities ring.
Quebec and Georgia, my stamp duties pay ;
Why are you prouder, and more hard than they ?
The gay Creoles, with my new tax agree,
They parch'd by heat, and I inflam'd by thee ;
The sultry Sirius burns their sugar-canes,
While in thy heart a wholesome winter reigns.
Where stray ye, members, in what lane or grove,
AYhile to enforce the act I hopeless move ?
In those fair rooms where Royal G- resides,
Or where the Cockpit's ample hall divides,
As in the gilded sconce I view my face,
Ko rising blushes stain the faithful glass ;
But since my figure pleases there no more,
I shun the levee which I sought before.
Once I was skill'd in every fund that went.
From India bonds to humble cent per cent.
Ah, Gentle Shepherd, what avails thy skill
To frame a tax for D — w — 11 to repeal ?
Let proud preside at C 1 B d.
Or wily H — 1 — d still desire to hoard ;
Bat in the Treasury let me spend my days,
34 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And load the sinking fund a thousand ways.
That wand was mine, which B , with panting-
breath,
Into my hands, resigning, did bequeath :
He said, G G v le, take this rod, the same
That to the cider counties taught my name ;
But R — k — ham may sway the wand for me.
Since I'm despised and disgrac'd by thee.
Oh ! were I made, by some transforming power.
The smooth-tongued P tliat speaks in yonder
bower,
Then might my voice the listening ears employ.
And I, the pension he receives, enjoy.
And yet my si^eeches pleased the Tory throng,
Rough R — gby grinn'd, and N — 1 — n prais'd my
song ;
The Cits, while Bow church bells forgot to ring.
In milk white Avigs, their kind addresses bring.
But their addresses are preferred in vain.
On P 1 their thanks are now bestow'd again :
For him the richest boxes are designed,
And in one parchment all their freedom's join'd.
Accept their wreaths, allow your partners none.
Claim all their praise as due to you alone.
See what strange things in the repeal appear;
Discordant Earls Imve form'd a union here :
In opposition B and T — p — e join.
And wicked Twitcher ^ with good .
Come, matchless Jemmy ! bless the cool retreats,
When Peers from voting quit their scarlet seats ;
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD. 35
When weary Commons leave the sultry town,
And, drown'd with debts, to linger rents go down.
This harmless grove no lurking bailiff hides,
But in my breast the serpent rage abides.
Oh, how I long with you to pass my days.
Drink our own healths, and sound each other's
praise ;
Your praise the press shall bear through all the
town,
And evening posts from London waft it down :
But would you write, and rival Anti's strain.
The wondering mob his lies would read again ;
The moving carman hear the powerful call,
And pots of beer hang listening in their fall.
But see, the ladies shun the noontide air,
And hungry Lords to dinner fast repair :
At table all to places fix'd resort —
Ye gods, and is there then no place at court ?
But soon the sun with milder rays descends
To western climes, where my stamp duty ends :
On my poor effigy ^ their furies prey.
By night they burn me, as they hang by day.
1 Earl of Chatham ; an Essay by Thos. Babington Mac-
aiilay, 1844.
2 And wicked Twitclier. Lord Sandwich was universally
known by the sobriquet of "Jemmy Twitcher."
3 On my poor effigy. Effigies of the different members of
the Ministry were carted through the principal places in
the Colonies, to conspicuous situations, and tliere burned.
The people could not degrade such " perverters of the
public weal " sufficiently. Epigrams, pasquinades and
scurrilous verses appeared at every corner in "flaming
capitals," and Britain's dishonor was published from the
36 SONGS AND BALLADS.
pulpit. The following appeared, suspended upon Liberty
Tree, during Grenville's official career :
" Pitt, the supporter of Liberty and the terror of tyrants."
" To Bute and Grenville, mark the event,
Both heaven andeartli are foes ;
Wliile curses on each wi etcli are sent
By every wind tliat blows."'
God save the King.
THE OLD WOMAN TAUGHT WISDOM.
1767.
The ballad entitled "The World Turned Upside Down,
or, The Old Woman Taught Wisdom." was pubHshed.
originally, in the Gentleman's Magazine, and afterwards
on a music-sheet, set to tlie tune, " Derry Down." The
anonymous author, says, it is " an luimble attempt to rec-
oncile tbe parent and her chiklreii. made by a peacemaker
to Great Britain and her Colonies."
THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.
Goody Bull and her daughter together fell out,
Both squa])bled, and wrangled, and made a rout,
But the cause of the quarrel remains to be told,
Then lend both your ears, and a tale I'll unfold.
The old lady, it seems, took a freak in her head.
That her daughter, grown woman, might earn her
own bread :
Self-applauding her scheme, she was ready to dance ;
But we're often too sanguine in what we advance.
For mark the event ; thus by fortune we're crossed,
Nor should people reckon without their good host ;
THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. 37
The daughter was sulky, and wouldn't come to,
And pray, what in this case could the old woman do ?
In vain did the matron hold forth in the cause,
That the young one was able ; her duty, the laws ;
Ingratitude vile, disobedience far worse ;
But she might e'en as well sung psalms to a horse.
Young, froward, and sullen, and vain of her beauty,
She tartly replied, that she knew well her duty.
That other folks' children were kept by their friends,
And that some folks loved people but for their own
ends.
Zounds, neighbor ! quoth Pitt, what the devil's the
matter ?
A man cannot rest in his house for your clatter ;
Alas ! cries the daughter, here's dainty fine work,
The old woman grown harder than Jew or than
Turk.
She be , says the farmer, and to her he goes,
First roars in her ears, then tweaks her old nose.
Hello, Goody, what ails you ? Wake ! woman, I say ;
I am come to make peace, in this desperate fray.
Adzooks, ope thine eyes, what a pother is here !
You've no right to compel her, you have not, I
swear ;
Be ruled by your friends, kneel down and ask
pardon,
You'd be sorry, I'm sure, should she walk Covent
Garden.
38 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Alas ! cries the old woman, and must I comply ?
But I'd rather submit than the huzzy should die ;
Pooh, prithee be quiet, be friends and agree,
You must surely be right, if yoiCre guided by me.
Unwillingly awkward, the mother knelt down.
While the absolute farmer went on with a frown.
Come, kiss the poor child, there come, kiss and be
friends !
There, kiss your poor daughter, and make her amends.
No thanks to you, mother ; the daughter replied :
But thanks to my friend here, I've humbled your
pride.
THE LIBERTY SONG.
1768.
A short time after the refusal of tlie Massacliusetts
Legislature to rescind the Circular Letter of February 11,
1768, relating to the imposition of duties and taxes on the
American colonies, Jolin Dickinson^ of Delaware, the cele-
brated author of a series of essays entitled "The Farmer's
Letters," wrote to James Otis of Massachusetts, as follows :
'■'■ I inclose you a song for American freedom. I liaveloiig
since renounced poetry, but as indifferent songs are very
powerful on certain occasions, I venture to invoke tlie de-
serted muses. I hope my good intentions will procure
pardon, with those I wish to please, for the boldness of my
numbers. My worthy friend. Dr. ArthurLee,^ a gentleman
of distinguished family, abilities and patriotism, in Vir-
ginia, composed eight lines of it. Caixlinal de Retz always
enforced his political operations by songs. I wish our
attempt mav be useful." This song was published in the
Boston Gazette of July 18, 1768. to which paper Mr. Otis,
and other early advocates of political and i-eligious liberty,
often contributed. It also appeare;! in tlie various news-
papers of New England, wliere it soon became very popular.
THE LIBERTY SOXG. 39
On the sixth of July, two days after the date of his first
letter, ?lr. Dickinson wrote again to Mr. Otis, saying, •' I
inclosed you the other day a copy of a song composed in
great haste. I tliink it was rather too bold. I now send a
corrected copy which I like better. If you thing the baga-
telle worth publishing, I beg it may be this C()p3\ If the
first is published before this is come to hand, I shall be
much obliged to you if you will be so good as to publish
this with some little note, ' that this is the true copj' of tlie
original.' 3 in this copy I tliink it maybe well enough to
add between the fourth and fifth stanzas these lines :
Hoiv sweet are the labors that freemen endure,
Tliat they shall enjoy all the profit, secure —
No more such sweet labors Americans know,
If Britons shall reap tchat Americans soiv.
In freedom we're born — "
A SONG NOW MUCH IN VOGUE IN NORTH
AMERICA.
1768.
Come join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts 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, and in freedom Ave'll live ;
Our purses are ready,
Steady, Friends, steady,
Not as slaves, but ^'S> freemen our money we'll give.
Our worthy forefathers — let's give them a cheer —
To climates unknown did courageously steer ;
Thro' oceans to deserts, for freedom they came.
And, dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.
Their generous bosoms all danger despis'd
So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they iDriz'd ;
40 SONGS AND BALLADS.
We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.
The Tree, their own hands had to Liberty rear'd,
Tliey lived to behold growing strong and rever'd ;
With transport then cried, — " Now our wishes we
gain,
For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."
How sweet are the labors that freemen endure.
That they shall enjoy all the profit, secure, —
No more such sweet labors Americans know.
If Britons shall reap what Americans sow.
Swarms of placemen and pensioners* soon will
appear,
Like locusts deforming the charms of the year :
Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend.
If we are to drudge for what others shall si^end.
Then join hand in hand brave Americans all.
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall ;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For Heaven approves of each generous deed.
All ages shall speak with amaze and applause.
Of the courage we'll show in support of our laws ;
To die we can bear, — but to serve we disdain.
For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain.
This bumper I crown for our sovereign's health,
And this for Britannia's glory and wealth ;
THE LIBERTY SONG. 41
Th'^t wealth, and that glory immortal may be,
If she is but just, and we are but free.
In freedom we're born, etc.
1 John Dickinson occupies a prominent position in the
early history of tlie Revolution. He was a member of the
Pennsylvania Assembly in 1764; of the Congress of 1765,
and also of the first Continental Congress, which met in
Carpenter's Hall at Philadelphia on the fourth of Septem-
ber, 1774. Of the important and eloquent state papers of
that Congress, he wrote the principal part. Though so
little a republican at the commencement of the Revolu-
tionary difficulties, as to oppose the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, because he doubted the policy of Congress,
" without some preclusory trials of our strength." he fully
proved the sincerity of his attachment to the liberties of
his country by marching to Elizabethtown, at the head of
his regiment, a short time after the declaration, to repel
the invading enemy. In November, 1767. the first of a
series of communications written by him, entitled, "Let-
ters from a farmer in Pennsylvania, to the inhabitants of
the British Colonies," appeared in the Pennsylvania Chron-
icle. Dickinson died February 14, 1808.
^Arthur Lee was a bold and fearless patriot. At the
commencement of the troubles with the mother country,
he went to England, from whence he rendered most im-
portant services to his country, by sending to the patriots
the earliest intelligence of the plans of the Ministry. His
writings are numerous, chiefly political ; among them the
most celebrated, are the letters under tlie signature of
" Junius American us." In a letter to Samuel Adams he
says, '' The first wish of my heart is, that America may be
free — the second is — that we may ever be united with this
country. But this union, however desirable, must not be
upon dishonorable and slavish terms."
3 In the Pennsylvania Clironicle. puV)lished at Phila-
delphia, July 4-11, 1768, this amended copy appears : but
we do not find it complete in any of the Boston papers. It
is probable that the request of the author was never com-
plied with, and if there was any alteration in the copy
published after July 18. it was done without any note or
comment. Late in September, it appeared in a ballad
sheet, set to the majestic air. "Hearts of Oak." and was
sung in the streets of Boston and the villages of New Eng-
42 SONGS AND BALLADS.
land, by all the sons of freedom, who "promised them-
selves that all ages would applaud their courage.''
* Swarms of placemen and pensioners. The Ministry-
have alieady begun to give away in pensions the money
they lately took out of our pockets, without our leave. —
Note by the author of the song.
A PARODY
UPON A WELL-KNOWN LIBERTY SONG.
1
1768.
This parody, upon the preceding song, was first pub-
lished in the Boston Gazette, on the twenty-sixth of
September, 17G8, with the subjoined brief notice. " Last
Tuesday, tlie following song made its appearance from a
garret at Castle William.'' The author is unknown.
THE PARODY.
Come shake your dull noddles, ye pumpkins, and
bawl,
And own that you're mad at fair Liberty's call ;
No scandalous conduct can add to your shame,
CondemnVl to dishonor, inherit the fame.
In folly you're born, and in folly you'll live,
To madness still ready.
And stupidly steady,
Not as men, but as monkeys, the tokens you give.
Your grandsire, old Satan, now give him a cheer.
Would act like yourselves, and as wildly would
steer :
So great an example in prospect still keep.
Whilst you are alive. Old Belza may sleep.
THE PARODY. 43
Such villains, such rascals, all dangers despise,
And stick not at mobbing when mischief's the prize ;
They burst thro' all barriers, and piously keep
Such chattels and goods the vile rascals can sweep.
The Tree, which the wisdom of justice hath rear'd.
Should be stout for their use, and by no means be
spar'd :
When fuddled with rum the mad sots to restrain.
Sure Tyburn will sober the wretches again.
Your brats and your hunters by no means forget.
But feather your nests, for they're bare enough yet ;
From the insolent rich sure the poor knave may
steal,
Who ne'er in his life knew the scent of a meal.
When in your own cellars you've quaff'd a regale.
Then drive, tug and , the next house to assail ;
For short is your harvest, nor long shall you know
The pleasure of reaping what other men sow.
TJien plunder, my lads, for when red-coats appear,
You'll melt like the locust Avhen winter is near ;
Gold vainly will glow, silver vainly will shine.
But, faith, you must skulk, you no more shall purloin.
Then nod your poor numskulls, ye pumpkins, and
bawl.
The de'il take such rascals, fools, whoresons and all ;
Your cursed old trade of purloining must cease,
The dread and the curse of all order and i^eace.
44 SONGS AND BALLADS.
All ages shall speak with contempt and amaze,
Of the vilest banditti that swarm'd in these days ;
In defiance of halters, of whips and of chains,
The rogues would run riot, — fools for their pains.
Gulp down your last dram, for the gallows now
groans,
And, over depress'd, her lost empire bemoans ;
While we quite transported and happy shall be.
From mobs, knaves and villains, protected and free.
THE PARODY PARODIZED.
OR THE
MASSACHUSETTS LIBERTY SONG.
1768.
This loyal song is much the best of those composed
during the earliest struggles of the Colonists, and is
forcibly illustrative of the nature and spirit of the times in
which it was composed. It was published in the St.
James Chronicle, at London, on tlie eighth of November,
1768, as well as in America, and intended as a rejoinder to
the foregoing parody.
THE PARODY PARODIZED.
11
Come swallow your bumpers, ye tories, and roar,
That the sons of fair Freedom are hamper'd once
more ;
But know that no cut-throats our spirits can tame.
Nor a host of oppressors shall smother the flame.
THE PARODY PARODIZED. 45
In freedom we're born, and, like sons of the brave,
We'll never surrender.
But swear to defend her,
And scorn to survive, if unable to save.
Our grandsires, blest heroes ! we'll give them a tear,
Nor sully their honors, by stooping to fear ;
Thro' deaths and thro' dangers, their trophies they
won.
We dare be their rivals, nor will be outdone.
Let tyrants and minions presume to despise.
Encroach on our rights, and make freedom their
prize :
The fruits of their rapine they never shall keep ;
Tho' vengeance may nod, yet how short is her sleep !
The tree, which proud Haman for Mordecai rear'd,
Stands recorded, that virtue endanger'd is spar'd.
That rogues whom no bonds and no laws can re-
strain.
Must be stript of their honors, and humbled again.
Our wives and our babes, still protected, shall know,
Those who dare to be free, shall forever be so ;
On these arms and these hearts they may safely rely,
For in freedom we'll live, or like heroes we'll die.
Ye insolent tyrants ! who wish to enthrall ;
Ye minions, ye placemen, pimps, pensioners, all.
How short is your triumph ! how feeble your trust !
Your honors must wither and nod to the dust.
46 SONGS AND BALLADS.
When oppress'd and reproach'd, our king we im-
plore,
Still firmly persuaded our rights he'll restore ;
When our hearts beat to arms, to defend a just
right,
Our monarch rules there, and forbids us to fight.
Not the glitter of arms, nor the dread of a fray,
Could make us submit to their chains for a day ;
Withheld by affection, on Britons we call, —
Prevent the fierce conflict which threatens your fall !
All ages shall speak, with amaze and applause,
Of the prudence we show in support of our cause ;
Assur'd of our safety, a Brunswick still reigns,
Whose free loyal subjects are strangers to chains.
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all !
To be free is to live, to be slaves is to fall ;
Has the land such a dastard, as scorns not a lord.
Who dreads not a fetter much more than a sword.
In freedom we're born, and, like sons of the brave,
We'll never surrender,
But swear to defend her,
And scorn to survive, if unable to save.
Hearts of Oak. The original song, under this title, was
composed by David Garrick. It was very popular during
the American wars, both of 1776 and 1812, among the
British, and at the present day is sung by many of
*' Our soldiers, our sailors, our statesmen,"
in " merrie old England."
TO OUR LADIES. 47
TO THE LADIES.
1769.
In the year 1768, the people of Boston resolved tliat they
would not import any tea, glass, paper, or other com-
modities commonly brought from Great Britain, until the
act imposing duties upon all suc^h articles should be re-
pealed. This poetical appeal to the ladies of the country,
to lend a, " helping hand " for the furtherance of that reso-
lution, appeared in the Boston News Letter, anonj^mously.
TO OUR LADIES.
YouxG ladies in town, and those that live round,
Let a friend at this season advise you ;
Since money's so scarce, and times growing worse,
Strange things may soon hap and surprise you.
First, then, tlirow aside your topknots of pride ;
Wear none but your own country linen ;
Of economy boast, let your pride be the most
To show clothes of your own make and spinning.^
What if homespun they say is not quite so gay
As brocades, yet be not in a passion.
For when once it is known this is much worn in
town.
One and all will cry out — ' Tis the fashion !
And, as one, all agree, that you'll not married be
To such as will wear London factory.
But at first sight refuse, tell 'em such you will choose
As encourage our own manufactory.
48 SONGS AND BALLADS.
No more ribbons wear, nor in rich silks appear ;
Love your country much better than fine things ;
Begin without passion, 'twill soon be the fashion
To grace your smooth locks -with a twine string.
Throw aside your Bohea, and your Green Hyson tea,
And all things with a new-fashion duty ;
Procure a good store of the choice Labrador,
For there'll soon be enough here to suit you.
These do without fear, and to all you'll appear,
Fair, charming, true, lovely and clever ;
Though the times remain darkish, young men may
be sparkish.
And love you much stronger than ever.
Then make yourselves easy, for no one will teaze ye,
Nor tax you, if chancing to sneer
At the sense-ridden tools, who think us all fools ;
But they'll find the reverse far and near.
1 To show clothes of your own make and spinning.
About tliis time a party of young ladies, calling them-
selves " Daughters of Liberty," met at the house of "a
distinguished minister, in Boston, where they amused
themselves with spinning two hundred and thirty-two
skeins of yarn, some very fine, which were given to the
worthy pastor, several of the party being members of his
congregation. The party was concluded with many agree-
able tunes, anthems and liberty songs, wath great judg-
ment ; fine voices performing, which were animated, in all
their several j^arts. by a number of the Sons of Liberty."
The following quotation, from Murray's United States,
shows the effect such resolutions and actions had upon the
trade of England with the Colonies. The exports from
England which, " in 1T68 amounted to $11,890,000, dechned,
in 1769, to $8,170,000."
CASTLE ISLAND SONG. 49
A NEW SONG.
1770.
These verse appeared in a broadside, a short time after
the " massacre of the fifth of March," i 1770, as a " new
song much in vogue among the friends to arbitrary power,
and the soldiery at Castle Island, ^ where it was composed,
since the troops have evacuated the town of Boston,"
CASTLE ISLAND SONG.
You simple Bostonians, I'd have you beware ;
Of your Liberty Tree, I would have you take care.
For if that we chance to return to the town,
Your houses and stores will come tumbling down.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
If you will not agree to Old England's laws,
I fear that King Hancock will soon get the yaws :
But he need not fear, for I swear we will,
For the want of a doctor give him a hard pill.
A brave reinforcement, we soon think to get ;
Then we will make you poor pumpkins to sweat :
Our drums they'll rattle, and then you will run
To the devil himself, from the sight of a gun.
Our fleet and our army, they soon will arrive.
Then to a bleak island, you shall not us drive.
In QYQvj house you shall have three or four,
And if that will not please you, you shall have half
a score.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
50 SONGS AND BALLADS.
1 Massacre of the fifth of March. Two regiments of
British troops under command of Colonels Dalrymple and
Carr, arrived at Boston in the month of September, 1768.
The people of Boston desired that they should be stationed
at the Castle, but " they landed with all the appearance of
hostility ! They marched through the town with all the
ensigns of triumph, evidently designed to subject the in-
habitants to the severe discipline of a garrison, and con-
tinued their enormities by abusing the people." On tiie
second day of March, 1770, a quarrel arose between two
soldiers of the 29th regiment, and the workmen at a rope-
walk not far distant from tlie barracks. The soldiers
being repulsed, soon made another attack, having increased
their number to ten or twelve, but these were also success-
fully resisted. In consequence of these quarrels the sol-
diery declared they would be avenged. The following
account of their proceedings is taken from the Boston
Chronicle of March 8, 1779. " Last Monda)' about 9
o'clock at night a most unfortunate affair happened in
King Srteet. The sentinel posted at the Custom House,
being surrounded by a number of people, called to the
main-guard, upon which Captain Preston, with a party,
went to his assistance, soon after which some of the
party fired, by which the following persons were killed.
Samuel Gray, rope maker, a mulatto man, named Attucks,
and Mr. James Caldwell. Early the next morning Captain
Preston was committed to jail, and the same day eight
soldiers. A meeting of the inhabitants was called at
Faneuil Hall that forenoon, and the lieutenant-governor
and council met at the council chamber, where the Colo-
nels, Dalrymple and Carr, were desired to attend, when
it was concluded upon, that both regiments should go down
to the barracks at Castle William, as soon as they were
ready to receive them."
The funeral of the victims of the massacre was attended
tlie 8th of March. On this occasion the shops of the town
were closed, and all the bells were ordered to be tolled, as
were those of the neighboring towns. The procession began
to move between 4 and 5 o'clock, P. M.. tlie bodies of the
two strangers Caldwell and Attucks, being borne from
Faneuil Hall, and those of the other victims, from the resi-
dence of their families, — the hearses meeting in King
Street, near the scene of the tragedy, and passing through
the main street, to the burial ground, wliere the bodies
were all deposited in one vault. Patrick Carr, who was
wounded in the affair, died on the 14th, and was buried
CASTLE ISLAND SONG. 51
on the 17th, in the same vault with his murdered as-
sociate? Shortly after the occurrence Paul Revere, of
Boston, engraved and printed a large handbill, giving a
sketch of the scene, and accompanied it with the following
lines :
"Unhappy Boston ! see thy sons deplore
Thy hallowed walks besmear'd with guiltless gore.
While faithless Preston and his savage bands,
With murderous rancor stretch their bloody hands ;
Like fierce barbarians grinning o'er their prey,
Approve the carnage and enjoy the day.
If scalding drops, from rage, from anguish wrung,
If speechless sorrows laboring for a tongue.
Or if a weeping world can auglit appease
The plaintive ghosts of victims such as these ;
The patriot's copious tears for each are shed,
A glorious tribute which embalms the dead.
But know, Fate summons to that awful goal.
Where justice strips the murderer of his soul :
Should venal C — ts, the scandal of the land.
Snatch the relentless villain from her hand.
Keen execrations on this plate inscrib'd
Shall reach a judge who never can be bribed."
2 Castle Island. Castle William was situated on this
island. In 1798, the fortress was ceded to the United
States, and in the following year was named by President
Adams, Fort Independence.
THE TAXED TEA.
1773.
On the tenth day of May, 1773, the East India Company
were authorized, by act of Parliament, to export their tea,
free of duty, to England, but with a tax of threepence a
pound to all ports in the American Colonies. This was
considered by the colonists as a sclieme of the Ministry to
prepare them for an unlimited taxation. Advice having
been received, that the company had resolved to send out
large quantities of tea on their ov\ n account, to be sold in the
various colonies, the people immediately resolved to send
it back to England, in the same ships in which it should
come. The pilots were directed how to proceed with the
52 SONGS AND BALLADS.
ships on their arrival, and were required to bring them no
farther than within the entrance of the harbor. The con-
signees were summoned to appear at Liberty Tree and
resign their office ; but to tliis tliey replied in letters "dar-
ingly affrontive to the town," declining to resign. On the
morning of the twenty-eighth of November, the ship Dart-
mouth, with one hundred and fourteen chests of the long-
expected tea. came to anchor near the Castle in Boston
harbor, and on the following morning came up and an-
chored off Griffin's wharf. At the same time, near seven
thousand persons, from the several towns around Boston,
'• respectable for their ranks and abilities, and venerable
for their age and character," assembled and unanimously
adhered to their former resolution, that the tea should not
be landed. " During the session of this meeting, a number
of persons, disguised as Indians, approached near to the
door of the Assembly, and gave the war-whoop, which
was answered by a few in the galleries of the house. The
savages then repaired to the ships [now numbering three] ,
which harbored the pestilential teas, and began their
ravage. They applied themselves in earnest, and in about
two hours, broke up three hundred and forty-two chests of
tea and discharged their contents into the sea." This song
appeared a short time after the occurrence, in thePenn-
sylvania Packet, under the name of " A new Song, to tlie
plaintive tune of * Hozier's Ghost.' "
A NEW SONG.
As near beauteous Boston lying, *
On the gently swelling flood,
Without jack or pendant 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, axe and chisels,
Weapons new for warlike deed.
A NEW SONG. 53
Towards the herbage-freighted vessels,
Ihey approached with dreadful speed.
O'er their heads aloft in mid-sky,
Three bright angel forms were seen ;
This was Plampden, that was Sidney,
With fair Liberty between.
*' Soon," they cried, " your foes you'll banish,
Soon the triumph shall be Avon ;
Scarce shall setting Phoebus vanish.
Ere the deathless deed be done." ^
Quick as thought the ships were boarded,
Hatches burst and chests displayed ;
Axes, hammers help afforded ;
What a glorious crash they made !
Squash into the deep 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 plow the wave ;
Tell your masters they were dreamers.
When they thought to cheat the brave.
1 Ere the deathless deed be done. During the operations of
the savages, on board the tea-ships, a watch was stationed
to prevent embezzlement, .and not a single ounce of the
commodity was suffered to be purloined by the populace.
One or two persons being detected, in endeavoring to pocket
a small quantity, w^ere " stripped of their acquisitions and
very roughly handled. Although a considerable quantity
of merchandise, of different kinds, remained on board the
54 SONGS AND BALLADS.
vessels, no injury was sustained. Such attention to private
property was observed, that a small padlock, belonging to
the captain of one of the ships, being broke, another was
procured and sent to him." Freeman's Journal.
A Lady's adieu to her tea-table, published a short time
after the destruction of the tea at Boston.
Farewell, the tea-board, with its gaudy equipage
Of cups and saucers, cream bucket, sugar tongs,
The pretty tea cliest also, lately stored
With Hyson, Congo, and best double fine.
Full many a joyous moment I've sat by ye,
Hearing tlie girls tattle, the old maids talk scandal,
And the spruce coxcomb laugh at — may-be — nothing,
No more shall I disli out the once loved liquor,
Though now detestable,
Because I'm taught, and believe it true,
Its use will fasten slavish chains upon my country.
For Liberty's the goddess I would choose
To reign triumphant in America.
VIRGINIA BANISHING TEA.
1774.
Many urgent appeals to the people of the different colonies
were made after the destruction of the tea at Boston,
calling upon them to abstain from the use of all imported
commodities, and to confine themselves to the fragrant
herbs and other productions of their own fields and forests.
The following poetical one was written by a young lady, of
whom all that is known is, that she was " a native of
Virginia, endowed with all the graces of a cultivated mind,
pleasant external qualities, and a model of patriotism
worthy the emulation of many more conspicuous."
VIRGINIA BANISHING TEA.
Begone, pernicious, baneful tea,
With all Pandora's ills possessed,
Hyson, no more beguiled by thee ^
My noble sons shall be oppressed.
VIRGINIA BANISHING TEA. 55
To Britain fly, where gold enslaves,
And venal men their birthright sell ;
Tell N'orth and his bribed clan of knaves,
Their bloody acts were made in hell.
In Henry's reign those acts began,
Which sacred rules of justice broke
North now pursues the hellish plan,
To fix on us his slavish yoke.
But we oppose, and will be free,
This great good cause Ave will defend ;
Nor bribe, nor Gage, nor North's decree,
Shall make us " at his feet to bend."
From Anglia's ancient sons we came ;
Those heroes who for freedom fought ;
In freedom's cause we'll march ; their fame,
By their example greatly taught.
Our king we love, but North we hate.
Nor will to him submission own ;
If death's our doom, we'll brave our fate.
But pay allegiance to the throne.
Then rouse, my sons ! from slavery free
Your suffering homes ; from God's high wrath ;
Gird on your steel ; give liberty
To all who follow in our path.
1 Ilyson, no more beguiled by thee. These appeals, very
generally, had the desired effects. Some, however, of the
"more ancient and decaide females," could not deny
themselves tlie pleasing stimulant, and it was their custom
56 SONGS AND BALLADS.
to take a " wee drop " clandestinely. The following is one,
of many anecdotes concerning tliese quiet solacements.
" A lady of Virginia, being in opulent circumstances, invi-
ted a party of her female acquaintances to pass an evening
with her in a private room upstairs, where they were to
regale themselves with a dish of the forbidden tea. But
the husband of the lady, inferring, from the appearance of
affairs, what was going on, quietly stole upstairs and
slipped a piece of tobacco into the tea-kettle. The conse-
quence was, the ladies all went home most terribly dis-
turbed and uncertain ; while the old gentleman enjoyed
himself , patriotically, at their expense."
THE BLASTED HERB.
1774.
This ballad first appeared in Fowle's Gazette, on the
twenty-second of July, 1774, but soon after was adapted to
a sacred air, and published in a broadside. It has been
attributed to Meshech Weare, who was president of the
State of New Hampshire in 1776. He was born in 1714,
graduated at Harvard College in 1735. and passing through
the highest offices of the State in which he lived, died at
Hampton Falls, in the early part of 1786.
INDIA TEA.
Rouse every generous thoughtful mind,
The rising danger flee,
If you would lasting freedom find,
Now then abandon tea.
Scorn to be bound with golden chains,
Though they allure the sight ;
Bid them defiance, if they claim
Our freedom and birthright.
INDIA TEA. 57
Shall we our freedom give away,
And all our comfort place
In drinking of outlandish tea,
Only to please our taste ?
Forbid it Heaven, let us be wise,
And seek our country's good ;
Nor ever let a thought arise,
That tea should be our food.
Since we so great a plenty have.
Of all that's for our health ;
Shall we that blasted herb receive,
Impoverishing our Avealth ?
When we survey the breathless corpse,
With putrid matter filled ;
For crawling worms, a sweet resort.
By us reputed ill.
Noxious effluvia sending out.
From its pernicious store,
Not only from the foaming mouth.
But every lifeless pore.
To view the same enrolled in tea,
Besmeared with such perfumes.
And then the herb sent o'er the sea,
To us it tainted comes —
Some of it tinctured with a filth.
Of carcasses embalmed ;
5S SONGS AND BALLADS.
Taste of this herb, then, if thou wilt !
Sure me it cannot charm.
Adieu ! away, oh tea ! begone !
Salute our taste no more ;
Though thou art coveted by some
Who're destined to be poor.
GAGE'S PROCLAMATION.
1774.
Thomas Hutchinson was recalled to England early in
1774, and General Gage appointed as his successor in the
office of governor of Massachusetts Bay. On his arrival at
Boston, in May of tliat year, Gage immediately issued a
proclamation, calling upon the inhabitants to be loyal, and
again return to the friendship of an injured sovereign,
assuring them at the same time, that the royal authority
would be supported at all hazards. This proclamation was
versified in many parts of the colonies, and in various
instances, published as a ballad. From among a great
number we select the following, which first appeared in
the Virginia Gazette, as a " friendly warning."
A PROCLAMATION.
America ! thou fractious nation,
Attend thy master's proclamation !
Tremble ! for know, I, Thomas Gage,^
Determin'd came the war to wage.
With the united powers sent forth.
Of Bute, of Mansfield, and of North ;
To scourge your insolence, my choice,
While England mourns and Scots rejoice !
A PROCLAMATION. 59
Bostonia first shall feel my power,
And gasping midst the dreadful shower
Of ministerial rage, shall cry,
Oh, save me, Bute ! I yield ! and die.
Then shall my thundering cannons rattle,
My hardy veterans march to battle,
Against Virginia's hostile land.
To humble that rel)ellious ])and.-
At my approach her treml)ling swains.
Shall quit well-cultivated plains.
To seek the inhospitable wood ;
Or try, like swine of old, the flood.
Rejoice ! ye hap[)y Scots rejoice !
Your voice lift up, a mighty voice.
The voice of gladness on each tongue,
The mighty praise of Bute be sung.
The praise of ^Manstield, and of North,
Let next your hymns of joy set forth,
Kor shall the rapturous strain assuage.
Till sung's your own proclaiming Gage.
Whistle ye pipes ! ye drones drone on.
Ye bellows blow ! Virginia's \\on !
Your Gage has won Virginia's shore.
And Scotia's sons shall mourn no more.
Hail ^liddlesex ! oh happy county ! ^
Thou too shalt share thy master's bounty.
60 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Thy sons obedient, naught shall fear,
Thy wives and widows drop no tear.
Thrice happy people, ne'er shall feel
The force of unrelenting steel ;
What brute would give the ox a stroke
Who bends his neck to meet the yoke?
To Murray bend the humble knee ; ^
He shall protect you under me ;
His generous pen shall not be nnite,
But sound your praise thro' Fox to Bute.
By Scotchmen lov'd, by Scotchmen taught,
By all your country Scotchmen thought ;
Fear Bute, fear Mansfield, North and me.
And be as blest as slaves can be.
1 Tremble ! for know I, Thomas Gage, Thomas Gage
was the last royal governor of Massachusetts. He was ap-
pointed governor of Montreal in 1760, and in 1703 was com-
missioned commander-in-chief of all the royal forces in
North America. In the government of Massachusetts, he
inflicted the people of Boston with the most rigorous laws
and restrictions, thinking it a duty he owed his king, and
his departure for England in the fall of 1775, was liailed,
by those people, with unbounded joy. He died in 1787.
2 To hu7}ible that rebellious band. The people of Virginia
at all times resisted tlie attempts of Parliament to tax them
without their consent. The bold declaration of Patrick
Henry, before the House of Burgesses, in 1764. that
" Caesar had his Brutus — Charles the First his Cromwell;
and George the Third may profit by their example," still
rang in the ears of royalty, and the patriots were looked
upon as a " rebellious band that must be broken."
3 Hail Middlesex ! oh happij county ! An inconsiderable
number of the inhabitants of the county of Middlesex, in
Virginia, during the early part of 1771, undertook to make
some resolves, contradictory to the general sentiment of
A PROCLAMATION. 61
that colony. That gave occasion to the following produc-
tion, written by a " Lady of Pennsylvania."
To manhood he makes a vain pretence,
Who wants both manly force and sense ;
'Tis but the form and not the matter,
According to the schoolmen's clatter :
From such a creature, Heaven defend her !
Each lady cries, no neuter gender!
But when a number of such creatures,
With woman's hearts and manly features,
Their country's generous schemes perplex,
I own I hate this Middle-sex.
* To Murray bend the humble knee. John Murray, earl
of Dun more, was governor of Virginia from 1770 till 1775.
In the month of April, 1775. he removed tlie royal s^^^ores
and ammunition at Williamsburg. Virginia, on board some
armed vessels, and afterwards abandoned liis office and
went into active service for the king. His depredations
and cruelties, in the southern colonies, have become
matters of history. Dunmore sailed for England in 1776,
and never returned to America. He was shortly after-
wards appointed governor of Bermuda, but did not remain
there long, on account of his unpopularitv. He died in
England in 1809.
MARYLAND RESOLVES.
1774.
About the middle of December, 1774, deputies appointed
by the freemen of the province of Maryland, met at An-
napolis, unanimously resolved to resist the authority of
Parliament, taxing the colonies, if attempted to be enforced
and to support the acts and designs of the Continental
Congress at all hazards. They also recommended that
every man should provide himself "a good firelock, with
bayonet attached, powder and ball, and be in readiness to
act in any emergency." These resolutions were productive
of many ludicrous and bombastic ballads. From among
these, the one following, adapted to the air " Abbot of
Canterbury, or Wilkes' Wriggle," is selected .i
62 SONGS AND BALLADS.
MARYLAND RESOLVES.
Ox Calvert's plains new faction reigns,
Great Britain we defy, sir,
True liberty lies gagg'd in chains.
Though freedom is the cry, sir.
The Congress, and their factious tools,
Most wantonly oppress us,
Hypocrisy triumphant rules,
And sorely does distress us.
The British bands with glory crown'd,
No longer shall withstand us ;
Our martial deeds loud fame shall sound
Since mad Lee now commands us.^
Triumphant soon a blow he'll strike,
That all the world shall awe, sir.
And General Gage, Sir Perseus like.
Behind his wheels he'll draw, sir.
When Gallic hosts, ungrateful men,
Our race meant to extermine.
Pray did committees save us then,
Or Hancock, or such vermin ?
Then faction spurn ! think for yourselves !
Your parent state, believe me,
From real griefs, from factious elves,
Will speedily relieve ye.
MARYLAND RESOLVES. 63
1 Maryland resolves. This song was published in Riv-
ington's Gazette, with the accompanying letter, from its
anonymoas author, to the editor of that paper. *' You, no
doubt, have seen the resolves of certain magnates, naming
themselves a Provincial Congress ! I will not say these
wortliies are under the influence of the moon, or are proper
subjects for confinement, but one of their resolves is
exactly calculated for the meridian of the inquisition, and
the others smell furioush' of Bedlam. I gladly contribute
my humble mite to ridicule the folly, ingratitude, and
violence of our deluded patriots."
2 Since mad Lee now cominands us. Major-general
Charles Lee, was an officer in the British Army, at the age
of eleven years. He served under Abercrombie, at the un-
successful attack of Ticondei'oga, and was wounded.
Under General Burgo^-ne, in Portugal, he distinguished
himself. After this, he spent a few years in rambling over
Europe, and some time in the Polish service, finallj^ sailing
for New York, where he arrived just in time to embrace
rhe cause of the Colonists, which was now grown serious
and decided. He received a commission from the Conti-
lental Congress in 1775, and wns very active during the
war. until the battle of Monmouth, where he disobeyed
tlie orders of the commander-in-chief, and, by this means,
threw the trooi)S into confusion. He was reprimanded by
Washington, and in the warmth of his rej^entment used
improper language in return. For this he was tried by
court-martial, found guilty, and suspended from duty for
twelve months. He made a splendid defence of his course,
but Congress confirmed the sentence, which was like a
mortal wound to his ambitious spirit. When he heard the
confirmation he exclaimed, pointing to his dog. " Oh that
I u'ei^e that animal that I might not call man my brother.''^
He became vindictive, and abused General Washington in
his conversation and writings. Finding himself abandoned
by his friends, he retired to his plantation, in Virginia,
where he amused himself with his books and dogs, and in
the autumn of 1783. weary of his life, he went to Phila-
delphia, \yhere he died soon after, calling upon his " brave
grenadiers to stand by him."
In his will, he earnestly desired that he might not be
buried in any churchyard, or within one mile of a Presby-
terian or Anabaptist meeting-house, as he " had kept so
much bad company when alive, he did not choose to con-
tinue it when dead."
64 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Lee's character is very correctly portrayed, in a letter
from Mrs. Mercy Warren to Samuel Adams, where she
speaks of him as " plain in his person to a degree of
ugliness ; careless even to unpoliteness ; his garb ordinary ;
his voice rough ; his manners rather morose ; yet sensible,
learned, judicious and penetrating."
The celebrated Thomas Paine once said, that Lee " was
above all monarchs and below all scum.''' T/iachers Journal.
LOYAL YORK.
1775.
In January, 1775, William Franklin, the go\?ernor of the
colony of New Jersey, addressed tlie legislature, warning
them not to sanction certain proceedings connected with
the dispute existing between the mother country and the
colonies, assuring them, that all their grievances would be
redressed on petition. Lieutenant-governor Colden, of
New York, followed in the same path, and had great suc-
cess with the New York Assembly ; the majority of tliat
body agreeing not to send delegates to the Congress, tliat
was to assemble in May of that year. This success was a
triumph for the loyalists, and was the cause of great
rejoicing. The following song of exultation appeared a
short time after the event, in the Gazetteer, at New Y^ork,
and has been attributed to Rivington, the editor of that
paper; but without any authority.
LOYAL YORK.
And so, my good master, I find 'tis no joke,
For Y^ork has stepp'd forward, and thrown off the
yoke
Of Congress, committees, and even King Sears,^
Who shows you good nature, by showing his ears.
I trembled lest York should have join'd the mad
freak,
LOYAL YORK. 65
And formed a part of the damnable sneak ;
The fever abated, see order arise,
With ag'd constitutional tears in her eyes.
Having summon'd her sons, who too wantonly
stray 'd,
And calling her fair sister Grace to her aid,
The youth she address'd, in such accents of love,
As coming from mothers, ought always to move.
Says she, " My dear children, ah ! why should ye
roam.
In quest of rude discord, and leave me at home ?
Your godfather Monarchy, bleeds at the heart.
To think that his sons should from virtue depart.
"• Consider how long we have cherish'd, protected,
How much we've indulg'd, and how little corrected,
How oft we're provok'd, and our councils tormented ;
What insults forgiven, wliat bloodshed prevented.
"Behold your good brother, who rules in the north.
Examine his conduct and copy his worth :
Observe how Apollo presides, and you'll find,
How lovely are mercy and power combin'd.
" His task, though severe, he discharges witli ease,
And studies, like us, to preserve and to please ;
Oh! think how he feels, between brother and
brother.
When he's sent to reconcile one to the other.
66 SONGS AND BALLADS.
" Then cease, I beseech you, nor longer provoke
The hand, which so tenderly wards off the stroke.
Such counsel as this was enough, one would think.
To save them from ruin, though just on the brink.
*■ But would you believe, a committee they'd choose,
Consisting of three, who had nothing to lose ?
One was a cock of the first game,
Who hand over hand was determin'd on fame.
" The second A-dam dog who lives upon strife,
And knows nought but hemp can lead him a worse
life:
The tlnrd was a Cooper,^ good Lord, long preserve
him.
Or, as I want rhyme, may his customers starve him !
" Together they went on a grand consultation,
To prove a republic was good for the nation,
And to show the old dame, it was easily prov'd.
Pronounced, by four words, all objections remov'd.
" Inestimable rights, infernal chains,"
A sleeping potion for a Briton's brains. —
The aged matron silently withdrew.
Wept for her sons, and left them. Gage ! to you.
1 King Sears " Isaac Sears was born at Norwalk, Con-
necticut, in 1729. He was a successful merchant in tlie
city of New York, wlien political matters attracted his
attention. When the Stamp Act aroused the colonists,
Sears stood forth as tlie champion of ri,o:ht, and was one of
the most active and zealous members of the association of
tlie Sons of Liberty." He was celebrated during the war
BANKS OF THE DEE. 07
for his self-denial, and devotion to the cause of liberty.
He di-d at Canton, where he had gone with a cargo, in
1785. Lossing's Field Book.
2 The third was a Cooper. Dr. Cooper, town clerk of
Boston, called by Rivington, "the fragrant Rose of
Sharon."
BANKS OF THE DEE.
1775.
This beautiful song was very popular, both in England
and tlie colonies. It was composed by John Tait, a writer to
the Signet, and, for some time, a judge in one of the minor
courts at Edinburgh. It is adapted to the Irisli air called
Layigolee. The song has often, though erroneously, been
attributed to the Rev. John Home, author of the tragedy
of " Douglas.'' It was first printed in tlie Pennsylvania
Ledger, at Philadelphia, and also inserted in Wilson's col-
lection, published at Edinburgh in 1779, with some addi-
tional stanzas, written by a lady ; but her verses are far
inferior to t!ie original.
BANKS OF THE DEE.i
' TwAs summer, and. softly the breezes were blowing,
And sweetly the nightingale sang from the tree.
At the foot of a hill, where the river was flowing,
I sat myself clown on the banks of the Dee.^
Flow on, lovely Dee, flow on thou sweet river,
Thy banks, purest stream, shall be dear to me ever,
For there I first gain'd the affection and favor
Of Jamie, the glory and pride of the Dee.
But now he's gone from me, and left me thus
mourning.
To quell the proud rebels, for valiant is he ;
But ah ! there's no hope of his speedy returning,
6S SONGS AND BALLADS.
To wander again on the banks of the Dee :
He's gone, hapless youth, o'er the rude roaring
billows,
The kindest, the sweetest, of all his brave fellows ;
And left me to stray 'mongst these once loved
willows,
The loneliest lass on the banks of the Dee.
But time and my prayers may perhaps yet restore
him.
Blest peace may restore my dear lover to me.
And Avhen he returns, with such care I'll watch o'er
him.
He never shall leave the sweet banks of the Dee.
The Dee then will flow, all its beauty displaying.
The lambs on its banks will again be seen playing,
Whilst I, with my Jamie, am carelessly straying.
And tasting again all the sweets of the Dee.
1 Tlie hanks of \he Dee was written in 1775, on the
departure of a friend for America, to join the British
forces, who were, at that time, endeavoring " to quell the
proud rebels " of Columbia ; but the issue of that contest
was very different from the anticipations of the bard.
2 The banks of the Dee. Robert Burns, in a letter to
George Thomson, dated 7th April, 1793, says, '* Tlie banks
of the Dee, is, you know, literally Langolee, to slow time.
The song is well enough, but has some false imagery in it,
for instance,
' And sweetly the nightingale sang from the tree.'
•' In the first place, the nightingale sings in alow bush,
but never from a tree ; and in the second place, there
never was a nightingale seen or heard on the banks of the
Dee, or on the banks of any other river in Scotland.
Exotic rural imagery is always comparatively flat."
BANKS OF THE DEE. GO
The justice of these remarks seems to have been allowed
by J^^r. Tait ; for in a new edition of the song, retouched
by himself, some years after, for Mr. Thomson's collection,
the first half stanza is printed thus : —
"Twas summer, and softly the breezes were blowing,
And sweetly the wood pigeon coo'd from the tree.
At the foot of a rock, where the wild rose was growing,
I sat myself down on the banks of the Dee.
Shenstone'fi Lyrics.
A PARODY.
1775.
This excellent parod}^ is attributed to Oliver Arnold, ^ a
native of Norwich, Connecticut, and a kinsman of the
traitor. He wrote much doggerel during his time, some
of which is quite good, and was, at the time, very popular.
BANKS OF THE DEE.
' Twas winter, and blue tory noses were freezing,
As they march'cl o'er the land where they ought
not to be ;
The valiants complain VI at the fifers' curs'd wheez-
ing,
And wish'd they'd remain'd on the banks of the
Dee.
Lead on thou paid captain ! tramp on thou proud
minions !
Thy ranks, basest men, shall be strung like ripe
onions.
For here thou hast found heads with warlike opin-
ions,
On the shoulders of nobles who ne'er saw the Dee.
70 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Prepare for war's conflict ; or make preparation
For peace with the rebels, for they' re brave and
glee;
Keep mindful of dying, and leave the foul nation
That sends out its armies to brag and to flee.
Make haste, now, and leave us thou miscreant tories !
To Scotland repair ! there court the sad houris,
And listen once more to their plaints and their
stories
Concerning the " glory and pride of the Dee."
Be quiet and sober, secure and contented :
Upon your own land, be valiant and free ;
Bless God, that the war is so nicely prevented,
And till the green fields on the banks of the Dee.
The Dee then will flow, all its beauty displaying.
The lads on its banks will again be seen playing,
And England thus honestly taxes defraying,
With natural drafts from the banks of the Dee.
1 Oliver Arnold, was celebrated for liis ready wit at rep-
artee. At tlie time Joel Barlow, (who was on terms of
intimacy witli him,) was enjoying much notoriety, for
his revised and altered edition of Watts's Psalms and
Hymns, Arnold presented him witli the following stanzas :
" You've proved yourself a sinful cre'tur ;
You've murder'd Watts and spoil'd the meter ;
You've tried the word of God to alter,
And for your pains deserve a halter."
LIBERTY'S CALL. 71
LIBERTY'S CALL.
1775.
The authorship of this chaste ballad has been assigned
to one Jere. Sargent, of Philadelphia, a person of whom
little is known ; and also to Francis Hopkinson, the au-
thor of " The Battle of the Kegs." But, it is most probable,
that it w^as written by the." eccentric John Mason, "^ an
operative in the office of the Pennsylvania Packet, the
new'spaper in which it first a])peared. Tlie late Mr. Hun-
newell, of Watertown, Massachusetts, well remembered
its popularity, and attributed it to Mason.
LIBERTY'S CALL.
High on the banks of Delaware,
Fair Liberty she stood ;
And waving with her lovely hand,
Cried, " Still, thou roaring flood.
Be still ye winds, be still ye seas.
Let only zephyrs play ! "
Just as she spoke, they all obeyed ;
And thus the maid did say :
" Welcome my friends, from every land
Where freedom doth not reign ;
Oh ! hither fly from every clime,
Sweet liberty to gain.
" Mark Londonderry's brave defense
'Gainst tyranny that swayed ;
Americans, the example's great !
Like them, be not dismayed.
72 SONGS AND BALLADS.
" Expect not that on downy beds,
This boon you can secure ;
At perils smile, rouse up your souls !
War's dangers to endure.
" ' Gainst your affronted land behold
Oppression rear its head ;
In hydra-form and battle's din.
Each trembling slave to dread.
" But ye, its sons, will ne'er give up
Your parent fires till death ;
Behold ! yon beauteous virgins seek
Laurel your brows to wreathe.
« Bear on your minds the noble deeds
Your ancestors achieved ;
How many woithy Britons bled,
• To have their children freed !
" See on the meteors of the night
Their spirits wanly fly !
Roused from their graves by your distress ;
Hark ! thus I heard them cry.
" ' Was it for this, ye mothers dear !
Ye nursed your tender babes ?
Was it for this, our yet loved sons !
We sheathed our trusty blades ?
" ' O ! genius of our ancient times !
Be thou our children's guide,
LIBERTY'S CALL. 73
To arms ! to arms ! '—They call to arms,
And stalk in martial pride.
" I will them guide, ye reverend sires !
Go to your tombs in peace ;
The rage of proud usurping men,
Your sons shall yet repress.
« Hold up your heads, ye weeping fair !
Their swords are on their thighs ;
Smile yet again, ye lovely babes !
Their banner's in the skies.
" I come, I come, to join your train ;
Heaven's ministers I see ;
Farewell, my friends, be not afraid !
Be virtuous and be free ! "
Heaven's portals opened as she soared,
And angels thence did come ;
With heavenly songs and golden harps,
The Goddess welcomed home.
^ Eccentric John Mason. This gentleman was a native
of Maryland. In early life he went to Philadelphia, where
little was known of him. until he commenced work at the
office of Dunlap'sPennsylvaTiia Packet, a paper strenuously
devoted to the cause of liberty. During the early part of
the Revolution, Mason was accustomed, privately, to print
and circulate squibs, pasquinades and epigrams, bearing
severely on the royal cause, and in a measure gained the
hatred of many friends of the crown, whoiu he often made
the subject of his ridicule. He combined the trade of a
printer with that of an upholsterer, and kept a shop in
Arch street, Philadelphia, opposite the gate of the Friends'
burying-ground, where he carried on " Upholstery in all
74 SONGS AND BALLADS.
its various branches," besides making his shop a depot for
the circulation of his " little billets of ridicule." On the
approach of the British, in 1777, Mason removed his store
from the city, and abandoned for ever the " setting of
types." About one year after, the following advertisement
appeared in his old friend, tlie Pennsylvania Packet :
" John Mason, Upholder.
" Carries on the Upholdstery business in all its various
brandies, and shall be extremely obliged to those noble
and generous ladies and gentlemen vt^ho delight in employ-
ing the industrious.
" Said Mason begs leave to inform liis former friends
and customers, that when the enemy marched into this
city, he, the said Mason, marched out, and since that time
has had many a march and counter-march, and now has
had the happiness to march back again to a city where
slavery could not thrive, because there liberty springs
spontaneous.
" Ah ! slavery, how loved, liow valued
Once, avails thee not ; to whom
Related or by whom begot ;
A painful nuisance alone
Remains of thee. —
'Tis all thou art, and it is all
Thy proud friends and abettors shall be."
ALPHABET.
FOR LITTLE MASTERS AND MISSES.
1775.
This production appeared in a ballad sheet in the early-
part of 1775, and was afterwards reprinted in the Consti-
tutional Gazette, with a slight abridgment in the text.
ALPHABET.
A, stands for Americans, who scorn to be slaves ;
B, for Boston, where fortitude their freedom saves ;
ALPHABET. 75
C, stands for Congress, which, though loyal, will
be free ;
D, stands for defense, 'gainst force and tyranny.
Stand firmly, A and Z,
We swear forever to be free !
E, stands for evils, which a civil war must bring ;
F, stands for fate, dreadful to both people and king ;
G, stands for George, may God give him wisdom
and grace ;
H, stands for hypocrite, who wears a double face.
J, stands for justice, which traitors in power defy,
K, stands for king, who should to such the axe apply ;
L, stands for London, to its country ever true,
M, stands for Mansfield, who hath another view.
N, stands for North, who to the House the mandate
brings,
O, stands for oaths, binding on subjects not on kings ;
P, stands for people, who their freedom should
defend,
Q, stands for quere^ when will England's troubles
end ?
R, stands for rebels, not at Boston but at home,
S, stands for Stuart, sent by Whigs abroad to roam,
T, stands for Tories, who may try to bring them
back,
V, stands for villains, who have well deserved the
rack.
76 SONGS AND BALLADS.
W, stands for Wilkes, who us from warrants saved,
Y, for York, the New, half corrupted, half enslaved,
Z, stands for Zero, but means the Tory minions,
Who threatens us with fire and sword, to bias our
opinions.
Stand firmly A and Z,
We swear forever to be free !
THE PENNSYLVANIA SONG.
1775.
The author of this ballad is unknown. It appeared
originally in the " Poet's Corner " of Dunlap's Packet, as
the ■' Pennsylvania March," to the tune of the Scots' song,
" Jtvinna marry ony lad, but Sandy o'er the lea.''
PENNSYLVANIA SONG.
We are the troop that ne'er will ^toop.
To wretched slavery.
Nor shall our seed, by our base deed
Despised vassals be ;
Freedom we will bequeathe to them.
Or we will bravely die ;
Our greatest foe, ere long shall know.
How much did Sandwich lie.
And all the world shall know,
Americans are free ;
Nor slaves nor cowards we will prove,
Great Britain soon shall see.
PENNSYLVANIA SONG. 77
We'll not give up our birthright,
Our foes shall find us men ;
As good as they, in any shape,
The British troops shall ken. .
Huzza ! brave boys, we'll beat them
On any hostile plain ;
For freedom, wives, and children dear,
The battle we'll maintain.
What ! can those British tyrants think,
Our fathers cross'd the main.
And savage foes, and dangers met,
To be enslav'd by them ?
If so, they are mistaken,
For we will rather die ;
And since they have become our foes,
Their forces we defy.
And all the world shall know,
Americans are free.
Nor slaves nor cowards we will prove.
Great Britain soon shall see.
THE IRISHMAN'S EPISTLE.
1775.
This happy production of *' Paddy," must have been very
popular with "the rebels," as there were four different
editions of it published as broadsides, a short time after its
first appearance, in the Pennsylvania Magazine. The
version subjoined, was printed in May, 1775, and differs
slightly in language from tliat contained in the periodical.
78 SONGS AND BALLADS.
THE EPISTLE TO THE TROOPS IN BOSTON.
By my faith, but I think ye're all makers of bulls,
With your brains in your breeches, your in
your skulls,
Get home with your muskets, and put up your
swords.
And look in your books for the meaning of words.
You see now, my honies, how much you're mistaken,
For Concord by discord ^ can never be beaten.
How brave ye went out with your muskets all
bright.
And thought to be-frighten the folks with the
sight ;
But when you got there how they powder'd your
pums,
And all the way home how they pepper'd your ,
And is it not, honies, a comical crack.
To be proud in the face, and be shot in the back.
How come ye to think, now, they did not know
how,^
To be after their firelocks as smartly as you ?
Why, you see now, my honies, 'tis nothing at all,
But to pull at the trigger, and pop goes the ball
And what have you got now Avith all your designing.
But a town without victuals to sit down and dine in ;
And to look on the ground like a parcel of noodles,
And sing, how the Yankees have beaten the
Doodles.
THE IRISHMAN'S EPISTLE. 79
I'm sure if you're wise you'll make peace for a dinner,
Fo? lighting and fasting will soon make ye thinner.
I ''For Concord by discord,'' etc. Puns upon the word
Con?ord were numberless, after the action of the nine-
teenth of April, 1775. The following appeared as "an
anecdote," shortly after that action. ''When the emi-
grants and adventurers first came to America, they met on
the shore with Calvin ists. Huguenots, Papists and Protes-
tants. Such a medley of people, of different tenets and per-
suasions, promised much discord ; however, good sense
prevailed, and they unanimously agreed that no difference
in opinion should disturb the public tranquillity, but that
they would live in all brotherly love with eacli other, and
they named the first founded spot and town. Concord. Is
it not whimsical, that upon this spot they should first draw
blood, and gallantly contend for the rights and liberties of
America ?
2 TJiey did not know how. The following brief account of
the afi'airs at Lexington and Concord, is taken from a
letter dated Boston, April 19,1775. "Last niglit, at about
eleven o'clock, one thousand of the best troops, in a very
secret manner, rowed up the Cambridge River, and landed.
From whence they marched to Lexington, where they saw
a number of men exercising. They ordered them to dis-
perse, and immediately fired on them ; killed eight men
on the spot, and then marclied to Concord. This alarmed
the country so, that it seemed as if men came down from
the clouds. This news coming to town. General Gage sent
out another thousand men, with a large train of artillery.
In the mean time, those troops at Concord had set fire to
the court-house. There an engagement ensued, and the
King's troops retreated very fast, until they were rein-
forced with the troops the General liad sent: but they did
not stand long before the wdiole bodj^ gave way ; retreat-
ing, and our men keeping up at their heels, loading and
firing, until they got to Charlestown, when our people
thouglit it not prudent to come any furtlier, fearing the
siiips in the harbor would be ordered to fire on Boston and
Charlestown. Our men behaved gallantly." One poor
fellow, who had received a wound in his breast in follow-
ing up the retreat, was offered assistance b\' a brother
soldier when he remarked, '' I am beyond your assistance
— pursue the enemy ! " — and witli these words on his lips,
fell back and died, — Virginia Gazette.
/
/
go SONGS AND BALLADS.
BREED'S HILL.
1775.
During the battle, upon this hill, the village of Charles-
town was destroyed. The subjoined lyric, commemo-
rating the event, has been attributed to Joel Barlow. He
composed various patriotic songs, many of which are fa-
miliar. On entering the army, he wrote, "I do not know,
whether I shall do more for the cause in the capacity of
chaplain, than I could in that of poet ; I have great faith
in the influence of songs ; and shall continue, while ful-
filling the duties of my appointment, to write one now
and then, and to encourage the taste for them which I
find in the camp. One good song is worth a dozen ad-
dresses or proclamations," 1
THE BURNING OF CHARLESTOWN.
Palmyra's prospect, with her tumbling walls,
Huge piles of ruin heap'd on every side,
From each beholder, tears of pity calls.
Sad monuments, extending far and wide.
Yet far more dismal to the patriot's eye.
The drear remains of Charlestown's former show,
Behind whose walls did hundred warriors die.
And Britain's center felt the fatal blow.
To see a town so elegantly form'd.
Such buildings graced with every curious art,
Spoil'd in a moment, on a sudden storm'd,
Must fill with indignation every heart.
But when we find the reasons of her fate
To be but trifling — trifling did I say ?
THE BURNING OF CHARLESTOWN. 81
For being noble ! daring to be great,
^or calmly yielding to tyrannic sway !
To see the relics of that once famed place,
Pointing to Heaven, as 'twere in ardent cry,
By lawless power robb'd of every grace.
Yet calling bolts of vengeance from on high :
To find, I say, such dealings with mankind.
To see those royal robbers planted near
Those glorious buildings, turning into wind.
And loath to mingle with the common air.
And such chastisement coming from a state
Who calls herself our parent, nurse, and friend —
Must rouse each soul that's noble, frank, and great,
And urge us on our lives and all to spend !
Oh ! spot once graceful ; but, alas ! no more ;
Till signs shall end, and time itself shall cease.
Thy name shall live, and on fame's pinions soar.
To mark grim blackness on Great Britain's face.
Nor shall the blood of heroes on the plain.
Who nobly fell that day in freedom's cause,
Lie unreveng'd, though with thy thousands slain,^
Whilst there's a King who fears nor minds thy
laws.
Shall Cain who madly spilt his brother's blood,
Receive such curses from the God of all ?
Is not that Sovereign still as just and good.
To hear the cries of children when they call ?
S2 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Yes, there's God whose laws are still the same,
Whose years are endless, and his power is great ;
He is our God : Jehovah is his name ;
With him we trust our sore oppressed state.
When he shall rise (oh, Britain, dread the day,
Nor can I stretch the period of thy fate) ;
What heart of steel, what tyrant then shall sway,
A throne that's sinking hy oppression's weight ?
Thy crimes, oh North, shall then like specters stand.
Nor Charlestown hindmost in the ghastly roll,
And faithless Gage, who gave the dread command.
Shall find dire torments gnaw upon his soul.
Yea, in this world, we trust that ills so dread.
Which fills the nation with such matchless woes,
Shall fall with double vengeance on thy head.
Nor 'scape those minions which thy court com-
pose
1 Curiosities of American Literature, by Rufus W. Gris-
wold.
2 Thy thousands slain. Sliortly after the battle of
Breed's Hill, the following epigram appeared on a large
handbill ;
*' The modern veni, vidi, vici.
We came, we saw, but could not beat,
And so — we sounded a retreat ;
On Roxbury Hill again we saw 'em.
And did, like devils, clapper-claw 'em ;
But warlike casuists can't discuss,
If we beat them, or they beat us ;
We swear we beat, they swear we lie,
We'll tell you more on't bye and bye."
TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 83
ADAM'S FALL.
THE TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE.
1775.
Notwithstanding the prominent position in which Gen-
eral Washington was placed at the head of an undisci-
plined army, and the effect which that position produced
upon the minds of the well regulated and disdainful royal
troops, he was the subject of a very few ludicrous ballads.
The ministerial writers generally burlesqued the great
common interests of the people, in their jDroductions, or
comprehended the whole race of patriots as one rebel col-
lection.
TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE.
When Congress sent great Washington ^
All clothed in power and breeches,
To meet old Britain's warlike sons
And make some rebel speeches ;
'Twas then he took his gloomy way ^
Astride his dapple donkeys,
And traveled well, botli night and day
Until he r^ach'l the Yankees
AAvay from camp, 'bont three miles off,
From Lily he clismonnted,^
His sergeant brush'd his sun-burnt wig
While he the specie counted.
All prinked up in full bag- wig ;
The shaking notwithstanding.
34 SONGS AND BALLADS.
In leathers tight, oh ! glorious sight !
He reach'd the Yankee landing.*
The women ran, the darkeys too ;
And all the bells, they tolled ;
For Britain's sons, by Doodle doo,
We're sure to be — consoled.
Old mother Hancock with a pan
All crowded full of butter,
Unto the lovely Georgius ran,
And added to the splutter.
Says she, " Our brindle has just calved,
And John is wondrous happy.
He sent this present to you, dear,
As you're the ' country's papa.' " —
*' You'll butter bread and bread butter,
But do not butt your speeches.
" You'll butter bread and bread butter,
But do not grease your breeches."
Full many a child went into camp.
All dressed in homespun kersey.
To see the greatest rebel scamp
That ever cross'd o'er Jersey.
The rebel clowns, oh ! what a sight!
Too awkward was their figure.
'Twas yonder stood a pious wight,
' And here and there a nigger.
TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 85
Upon a stump, he placed (himself,)
Great Washington did he,
And through the nose of lawyer Close ^
Proclaimed great Liberty.^
The patriot brave, the patriot fair,
From fervor had grown thinner.
So off they march 'd, with patriot zeal,
And took a patriot dinner.''
1 IMien Congress sent great Washington. Washington
was appointed by the Continental Congress, " General and
Commander-in-chief of all the troops raised and to be
raised, for tlie defense of the United Colonies," in June,
1775, and immediately set off to join the main army, which
was at Cambridge, Massaclmsetts.
"^ 'Tiras tlieyi he took his gloomy way. On the journey he
was treated with the highest honors in every place through
which he ])assed. Volunteers of gentlemen and ladies
often escorting him through their villages.
3 From Lily he dismounted. *' The delicate name of this
donkey was probably suggested to Washington by the
whiteness of its hide, which was pretty well exposed to
the weather, from the constant chafing of the articles with
which it was ladened, and by mange, which through the
mysterious operations of nature, and bad care, will appear
on tiie outer wall of tlie animal kingdom."
Author of the Song.
* He reached the Yankee landing. He arrived at Cam-
bridge on the 3d of July, where he was received with
every mark of respect by the people, and the joyful accla-
mations of the soldiers.
5 Lawyer Close. This must refer to the general's aid.
Major Lee.
^ Proclaimed great Liberty. At the head of his army, he
issued a proclamation, of which the following is part :
" In our own native land, in defense of the freedom which
is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late
violation of it, we have taken up arms ; we shall lay them
down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggres-
86 SONGS AND BALLADS,
sors, and all danger of their being renewed, shall be re-
moved ; and not before."
■^ A patriot dinner. " Corn pudding and Yankee rum, a
great promoter of rebellion and riot." Author of the Song.
A NEW SONG.
J. W. Hewlings, the author of this ballad " on the pre-
sent critical times," was a native of Nansemond, Virginia,
where he died, in the early part of the year 1793.
AMERICAN " HEARTS OF OAK."
Come rouse up, my lads, and join this great cause.
In defense of your liberty, your property, and laws !
'Tis to honor we call you, stand up for your right.
And ne'er let our foes say, we are put to the flight.
For so just is our cause, and so valiant our men,
We always are ready, steady boys, steady ;
We'll fight for our freedom again and again.
The Scotch politicians have laid a deep scheme.
By invading America to bring Charlie in ;
And if the Scotch mist's not remov'd from the
throne.
The crown's not worth wearing, the kingdom's
undone.
The placemen, and commoners, have taken a bribe
To betray their own country, and the empire beside ;
And though the colonies stand condemned by some,
There are no rebels hei'^, but are traitors at home.
AMERICAN "HEARTS OF OAK." 87
The arbitrary minister, he acts as he please,
He wounds our constitution, and breaks througli
our laws ;
His troops they are landed, his ships they are
moor'd,
But boys all stand together, they will fall by the
sword.
The great Magna Charta is wounded severe ;
By accounts from the doctors, 'tis almost past cure.
Let's defend, it with the sword, or die with the
braves.
For we had. better die in freedom, than live and be
slaves.
They tax us contrary to reason and right.
Expecting that we are not able to fight ;
But to draw their troop home, I do think would be
best,
For Providence always defends the oppress'd.
The valiant Bostonians have enter'd the field.
And declare they will fall there before they will
yield ;
A noble example ! In them we'll confide,
We'll march to their town, stand or fall by their side.
An union through the colonies will ever remain,
And ministerial taxation will be but in vain,
For we are all resolved to die or be free ;
Sothey maj^ repeal the acts, for repeal'd they must be.
88 SONGS AND BALLADS.
FISH AND TEA.
1775.
A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE.
What a court, hath old England, of folly and sin.
Spite of Chatham and Camden, Barre, Burke,
Wilkes and Glynn !
Not content with the game act, they tax fish and sea,
And America drench with hot water and tea.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
Lord Sandwich, he swears they are terrible cowards.
Who can't be made brave by the blood of the
Howards ;
And to prove there is truth in America's fears.
He conjures Sir Peter's ghost 'fore the peers.
Now, indeed, if these poor people's nerves are so
weak.
How cruel it is their destruction to seek !
Dr. Johnson's a proof, in the highest degree.
His soul and his system Avere changed by tea.
But if the wise council of England doth think.
They may be enslaved by the power of drink.
They're right to enforce it ; but then, do you see ?
The Colonies, too, may refuse and be free.
A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE. 89
There's no knowing where this oppression will stop ;
Some say — there's no cure but a capital chop ;
And that I believe's each American's wish,
Since you've drench'd them with tea, and depriv'd
'em of fish.
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
• By the gods, for poor Dan Adam's use were made free,
Till a man with more power, than old Moses would
wish,
Said, " Ye wretches, ye shan't touch a fowl or a fish ! "
Three Generals ^ these mandates have borne 'cross
the sea,
To deprive 'em of fish and to make 'em drink tea ;
In turn, sure, these freemen will boldly agree.
To give 'em a dance upon Liberty Tree.
Then freedom^ s the word, both at home and abroad,
And every scabbard that hides a good sword!
Our forefathers gave us this freedom in hand.
And we'll die in defense of the rights of the land.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
1 Three Generals. The subjoined impromptu was pub-
lished at London, by some friend of the colonies, on the
departure of the British Generals for America :
" Behold ! the Cerberus the Atlantic plow,
Her precious cargo, Burgoyne, Clinton, Howe —
Bow ! wow ! wow ! "
90 SONGS AND BALLADS.
THE TIMES.
1776.
Very many songs, bearing this title, were produced
during the revolution. This spirited one was originally
published as a broadside, early in 1776. At a later period,
it appeared in a music-sheet, adapted to the " Tune of the
sweeper : — Though I sweep to and fro."
THE TIMES.i
My muse, now thy aid. and assistance we claim,
Whilst freedom, dear freedom, affords us a theme,
Invok'd, be propitious, nor madly forbear.
When a theme that's so sacred should ring far and
near.
Oh ! let freedom, and friendship, for ever remain,
Nor that rascal draw breath, who would forge us
a chain.
As our fathers have fought, and our grandfathers
bled.
And many a hero now sleeps with the dead ;
Let us nobly defend, what they bravely maintained,
Nor suffer our sons to be fetter'd and chain'd.
The lion, the wolf, and the tiger may prey.
Each beast of the forest, though worse still than
they.
May be brought as examples, yet where can we find
One so cruel, as sporting to kill their own kind.
THE TIMES. 91
Yet Britons beware of the curse you maintain,
Your sons and your offspring we all still remain ;
Behold the most savage, and thexe you may see,
Their offspring more tenderly treated than we.
Though our foes may look on, and our friends may
admire.
How a Bute or a North, should set nations on fire.
Yet Satan, when suffer'd his madness to vent.
In meanest of mansions sure pitches his tent.
Shall freedom, that blessing sent down from above,
A manifest mark of God's wonderful love.
Be left at his will, who delights to annoy.
Whose pleasure is nought but to kill and destroy ?
Forbid it, ye gods, who preside o'er the land !
Forbid it, ye genii, who iTile with the wand !
Forbid it, ye heroes, Avhoever draws breath !
Nor dread, in the combat, to rush upon death.
May our King be as wise as we mortals expect ;
Each rascal from council then boldly eject ;
May his life be as good, and reign be as great,
As ever was Solomon's wonderful state.
Then curs'd be the foes of our birthright so dear,
May they never find comfort or happiness here !
But vagabond-like, o'er the earth may they stray,
Unshelter'd by night, and unfed through the day.
92 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Let singular blessings America crown ;
May the Congress be blest with immortal renown ;
Each colony live in true sisterly peace,
Whilst harmony, honor, and riches increase.
Oh ! let freedom and friendship forever remain,
Nor that rascal draw breath, who would forge us
a chain.
1 The Times. In a version of this song, published in 1777,
the following couplet is added :
" The times, it seems, are altered quite.
The scales are cracked, the sword is broke,
Right is now wrong, and wrong is right.
And justice is a standing joke."
A NEW SONG.
1776.
Though this song has but slight pretensions to literary
merit, its subject long made it popular among the colonists,
It was first printed in the Pennsylvania Magazine, and oc-
casionally reprinted in the newspapers, as the war pro-
gressed. The melody to which it was adapted, " As Jamie
gay blithe gang'd his way," probably increased its popu-
larity.
COLLINET AND PHEBE.
As Collinet and Phebe sat.
Beneath a poplar grove.
The gentle youth, with fondest truth,
Was telling tales of love.
COLLINET AND PHEBE. 95
Dear blooming maid, the shepherd said,
My tender vows believe.
These downcast eyes, and artless sighs,
Can ne'er thy faith deceive.
Though some there are, from fair to fair,
Delighting wild" to rove.
Such change, thou ne'er, from me canst fear.
Thy charms secure my love.
Then Phebe now, approve my vow.
By truth, by fondness press'd ;
A smile assume to grace thy bloom.
And make thy shepherd bless'd.
A blush o'erspread her cheek with red,
Which half she turn'd aside ;
With pleasing woes, her bosom rose,
And thus the maid replied —
Dear gentle youth, I know thy trutn,
And all thy arts to please ;
But ah ! is this a time for bliss.
Or themes as soft as thc^^e ?
While all around, we hear no sound.
But war's terrific strains !
The drum commands our arming bands.
And chides each tardy swain.
Our country's call, arouses all.
Who dare be brave and free !
04 SONGS AND BALLADS.
My love shall crown the youth alone,
Who saves himself and me.
'Tis done ! he cried, from thy dear side,
Now quickly I'll be gone ;
From love Avill I, to freedom fly,
A slave to thee alone.
And when I come with laurels home.
And all that freemen crave,
To crown my love, your smiles shall prove.
The fair reward the brave.^
i Hie fair reivard the brave. On the departure of the able-
bodied men ''in the service of their country, tlie patriotic
young women, to prevent the evil that would follow the
neglect of putting in the crop, joined the plows and pre-
pared the fallows for the seed ; and now, their fathers,
brothers, and lovers, being detained, in the support of the
liberties of the States, have determined to plant the seed
themselves." — Freeman's Journal, 1776.
WAR SONG.
1776.
It is supposed this song was first published in 1776. We
have a music sheet containing it, and the " Liberty Song,"
bearing the following impress : " Portsmouth ; printed by
Benjamin Dearborn, i near the parade, 1776."
WAR SONG.
Hark, hark, the sound of Avar is heard.
And we must all attend ;
Take up our arms and go with speed.
Our countrv to defend.
WAR SONG. 95
Our parent state has turned our foe,
Which fills our land with pain ;
Her gallant ships, manned out for war,
Come thundering o'er the main.
There's Carleton, Howe, and Clinton too.
And many thousands more.
May cross the sea, but all in vain.
Our rights we'll ne'er give o'er.
Our pleasant homes they do invade,
Our property devour ;
And all because we won't submit
To their despotic power.
Then let us go against our foe,
We'd better die than yield ;
We and our sons are all undone,
If Britain wins the field.
Tories may dream of future joys.
But I am bold to say,
Thej^'ll find themselves bound fast in chains,
If Britain wins the day.
Husbands must leave their loving wives.
And sprightly youths attend,
Leave their sweethearts and risk their lives,
Their country to defend.
May they be heroes in the field.
Have heroes' fame in store ;
96 SONGS AND BALLADS.
We pray the Lord to be their shield,
Where thundering cannons roar.
1 Benjamin Dearborn was the printer of the " Freeman's
Journal, or New Hampshire Gazette," in which many fine
songs were published. Tliis one has been attributed to
Dearborn, but we have no authority for saying that he
ever wrote any other verse than the following, '* which
was posted on the front of his printing house."
The Printer has for sale within,
Kettles and cups, all formed of tin :
To such as want a service-cup.
Just open the door and hasten up !
Pennsylvania Packet.
A SONG.
1776.
This song appeared in the Connecticut Gazette, while the
British troops held possession of Boston. It was after-
wards published in a ballad-sheet, and recently reproduced
in Buckingham's Memoirs, its sentiment being a sufficient
apology for the defects of the poetry.
A SONG.
Smile, Massachusetts, smile,
Thy virtue still outbraves
The frowns of Britain's isle.
And rage of home-born slaves.
Thy free-born sons disdain their ease,
When purchased by their liberties.
Thy genius, once the pride
Of Britain's ancient isle,
A SONG. 97
Brought o'er the raging tide
By our forefathers' toil ;
In spite of North's despotic power,
Shines glorious on this Avestern shore.
In Hancock's generous mind
Awakes the noble strife,
Which so conspicuous shined,
In gallant Sydney's life ;
While in its cause the hero bled,
Immortal honors crown'd his head.
Let zeal your breasts inspire ;'
Let wisdom guide your plans ;
'Tis not your cause entire,
On doubtful conflict hangs ;
The fate of this vast continent.
And unborn millions share th' event.
To close the gloomy scenes
Of this alarming day,
A happy union reigns
Through wide America.
While awful wisdom hourly waits.
To adorn the councils of her states.
Brave Washington arrives.
Arrayed in warlike fame,
While in his soul revives
Great Marlboro's martial flame,
To lead your conquering armies on
To lasting glovy and renown.
bONGS AND BALLADS.
To aid the glorious cause,
Experienc'd Lee has come,
Renown'd in foreign wars,
A patriot at home.
While valiant Putnam's warlike deeds,
Amongst the foe a terror spreads.
Let Britons proudly boast,
" That their two thousand braves,
Can drive our numerous host,
And make us all their slaves ; "
While twice six thousand quake with fear.
Nor dare without their lines appear.
Kind Heaven has deign'd to own
Our bold resistance just,
Since murderous Gage began
The bloody carnage first.
Near ten to one has been their cost,
For each American we've lost.
Stand firm in your defence.
Like Sons of Freedom fight,
Your haughty foes convince.
That you'll maintain your right.
Defiance bid to tyrants' frown.
And glory will your valor crown.
MILITARY SONG. 99
OFF FROM BOSTON.
1776.
These congratulatory verses were sung by the soldiers of
the Continental army, after the evacuation of Boston. It
appeared under various names, but was generally known
by its present title, or as the
MILITARY SONG.
Sons of valor, taste the glories
Of celestial liberty,
Sing a triumph ^ o'er the tories.
Let the pulse of joy beat high.
Heaven hath this day foil'd the many
F«illacies of George the King ;
Let the echo reach Britan'y,
Bid her mountain summits ring.
See yon navy swell the bosom,
Of the late enraged sea ;
Where'er they go, we shall oppose them,
Sons of valor must be free.
Should they touch at fair Rhode Island,
There to combat with the brave,
Driven from each dale and highland.
They shall plow the purple wave.
Should they thence to fair Virginia,
Bend a squadron to Dunmore,
tor a
SONGS AND BALLADS.
Still with fear and ignominj^
They shall quit the hostile shore.
To Carolina or to Georg'y,
Should they next advance their fame,
This land of heroes shall disgorge the
Sons of tyranny and shame.
Let them rove to climes far distant,
Situate under Arctic skies,
Call on Hessian troops - assistant.
And the savages to rise.
Boast of wild brigades from Russia,
To fix down the galling chain,
Canada and Nova Scotia,
Shall disgorge these hordes again.
In New York state rejoin'd by Clinton,
Should their standards mock the air,
Many a surgeon shall put lint on
Wounds of death received there.
War, fierce war, shall break their forces,
Nerves of tory men shall fail,
Seeing Howe with alter'd courses.
Bending to the western gale.
Thus from every bay of ocean.
Flying back with sails unfurl'd,
Tossed with ever-troubled motion,
They shall quit this smiling world.
COMMON PRAYER FOR THE TIMES. 101
Like Satan banished from heaven,
Never see the smiling shore ;
From this land, so happy, driven.
Never stain its bosom more.
1 Sing a triumph. In February, 1776, Washington, who
was at that time with the main army at Cambridge, pro-
posed to a council of his officers, to cross upon the ice and
attack the enemy, who held possession of Boston, but they
unanimously disapproved of that daring scheme. It was,
liowever, soon resolved to take possession of the lieights of
Dorchester ; and on the morning of the fifth of March, the
Americans liad so far completed their works at that place,
as to excite the astonishment of the ministerial troops, who
evacuated Boston on the seventeenth of the same month.
As tlie rear of the British army embarked. General Wash-
ington marclied into the city, where he was joyfully re-
ceived, as the '• deliverer of his country."
2 Call on Hessian troops. The British government " has
sent over to Germany to engage troops for American serv-
ice, and succeeded in raising a legion of Jagers. people
brought up to the use of the rifle-barrel guns, in boar Imnt-
ing, Tliey are amazingly expert, and the ministry plume
themselves much in the thought of their being a complete
match for the American riflemen. We think they'll find
boars in this country that will teach them how to grunt
and wallow." Freeman's Journal, 1776.
A PRAYER.
1776.
The origin of this specimen of the " Yankee Psalms and
Prayers" is unknown. There are numerous versions of it,
but this is the only one that is above mediocrity, and suit-
able for this collection.
COMMON PRAYER FOR THE TIMES.
Since we are taught in Scripture word
To pray for friends and foes ;
102 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Then let us pray for George the Third,
Who must be one of those.
Heaven bless America, and Britain,
May folly past suffice.
Wherein they have each other smitten,
Who ought to harmonize.
Allied by blood, and interest too,
Soon let them re-unite,
May Heaven tyrannic minds subdue.
Haste, haste the pleasing sight.
May ev'ry morn and ev'ning prayer
Repeat this just petition,
What thinking Christian can forbear,
Appris'd of our condition.
Britannia's sins are our Avorst foes.
Let this be Britain's creed,
For those who God and man oppose.
Must rebels be indeed.
This rebel-host how num'rous grown !
This growth kind Heaven forbid !
'Tis fear'd some are too near the tlirone.
And seem securely hid.
Just Heaven, to light all rebels bring.
Who hate or love the steeple.
Kebels to God, and to the king,
And rebels to the people.
BURROWING YANKEES. 103
BURROWING YANKEES.
1776.
This song must have been very popular with the loyalists,
as four different editions were published in broadsides, dur-
ing the two years following its first appearance, in the
" Halifax Journal," a short time subsequent to the evacua-
tion of Boston.
BURROWING YANKEES.
Ye Yankees who, mole-like, still throw up the earth.
And like them, to your follies are blind from your
birth ;
Attempt not to hold British troops at defiance,
True Britons, with whom you pretend an alliance.
Mistake not ; such blood ne'er run in your veins,
'Tis no more than the dregs, the lees, or the drains ;
Ye affect to talk big of your hourly attacks ;
Come on ! and I'll warrant, we'll soon see your backs.
Such threats of bravadoes serve only to warm
The true British hearts, you ne'er can alarm ;
The Lion once rous'd, will strike such a terror,
Shall show you, poor fools, your presumi)tion and
error.
And the time will soon come when your whole rebel
race
Will be drove from the lands, nor dare show your
face :
104 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Here's a health to great George^ may he fully deter-
mine,
To root from the earth all such insolent vermin.
1 Burrowing Yankees. The newspapers, attached to the
cause of the patriots, very generally republislied this song
as "a piece of tory gasconading." Among those, the editor
of the *' Freeman's Journal " reproduced it, congratulating
his readers on having an opportunity to grace " Poet's cor-
ner, with an incomparable production " from a tory paper,
at the same time observing, that the genius who wrote it,
'• must have forgotten the battle of Lexington and Bunker
Hill."
NATHAN HALE.
1776.
The particulars known, concerning the capture, trial, and
execution of this gallant, and inuch lamented young officer,
are few. Washington, after the retreat of his army from
Long Island, in 1776, wishing to obtain information rela-
tive to the true situation, and intended operations, of the
royal troops, applied to one of his officers, for a " discreet
and enterprising person to penetrate the enemy's camp,"
Tins request was communicated to Nathan Hale.i a cap-
tain in Colonel Knovvlton's regiment. ''Animated by a
sense of his dut3^" Hale undertook the dangerous service,
and passed into the British lines in disguise. He obtained
the desired information ; buton his return, was apprehended
and carried before Sir William Howe, to whom he frankly
acknowledged the object of his visit. Howe immediately
gave an order to the provost marshal, and Hale was exe-
cuted in the early part of the next day. " The execution
was carried on in a most unfeeling manner, and by as great
a savage as ever disgraced humanity. A clergyman, whose
attendance he desired, was refused him ; a Bible for a mo-
ment's devotion was not procured, though he requested it.
Letters, which on the morning of his execution, he wrote
to liis mother, and other friends, were destroyed ; and this
very extraordinary reason given by the provost marshal,
' that the rebels should not know that tliey had a man in
their armv wlio could die with so much firmness,' " 2
NATHAN HALE. 105
A BALLAD.
The breezes went steadily thro' the tall pines,
A saying " oh ! hu-ush ! " a saying " oh ! hu-ush ! "
As stilly stole by a bold legion of horse,
For Hale in the bush, for Hale in the bush.
" Keep still ! " said the thrush as she nestled her
young.
In a nest by the road ; in a nest by the road.
" For the tyrants are near, and with them appear,
What bodes us no good, what bodes us no good."
The brave captain heard it, and thought of his home,
In a cot by the brook ; in a cot by the brook.
With mother and sister and memories dear.
He so gaily forsook ; he so gaily forsook.
Cooling shades of the night were coming apace.
The tattoo had beat ; the tattoo had beat.
The noble one sprang from his dark lurking place,
To make his retreat ; to make his retreat.
He warily trod on the dry rustling leaves.
As he pass'd thro' the wood ; as he pass'd thro'
the wood ;
And silently gain'd his rude launch on the shore,
* As she play'd with the flood ; as she play'd with
the flood.
The guards of the camp, on that dark, dreary night.
Had a murderous will ; had a murderous will.
106 SONGS AND BALLADS.
They took him and bore him afar from the shore,
To a hut on the hill ; to a hut on the hill.
No mother was there, nor a friend who could cheer,
In that little stone cell ; in that little stone cell.
But he trusted in love, from his Father above.
In his heart, all was well ; in his heart, all was
well.
An ominous owl with his solemn bass voice.
Sat moaning hard by ; sat moaning hard by.
*' The tyrant's proud minions most gladly rejoice,
" For he must soon die ; for he must soon die."
The brave fellow told them, no thing he restrain'd.
The cruel gen'ral ; the cruel gen'ral.
His errand from camp, of the ends to be gain'd.
And said that was all ; and said that was all.
They took him and bound him and bore him away,
Down the hill's grassy side ; down the hill's grassy
side.
'Twas there the base hirelings, in royal array.
His cause did deride ; his cause deride.
Five minutes were given, short moments, no more,
For him to repent ; for him to repent ;
He pray'd for his mother, he ask'd not another.
To Heaven he went ; to Heaven he went.
The faith of a martyr, the tragedy show'd.
As he trod the last stage ; as he trod the last stage
NATHAN HALE. 107
And Britons will shudder at gallant Hale's blood,
As his words do presage, as his words do presage.
" Thou pale king of terrors, thou life's gloomy foe,
Go frighten the slave, go frighten the slave ;
Tell tyrants, to you, their allegiance they owe.
No fears for the brave ; no fears for the brave."
1 Nathan Hale was a descendant of Jolm Hale, first min-
ister of Beverly, Massachusetts. He was the son of Rich-
ard H. Hale, of Coventry. Connecticut, and graduated at
Yale College in 1773, with high honors. Little is known of
his private history. The subjoined account of him is copied
from the Freeman's Journal," of February 18. 1777. ''TJie
following is a genuine specimen of torij benevolence, and may
be depended upon as real matter of fact. Samuel Hale, late
of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, after his elopement from
tlience, visited an uncle in Connecticut, where he was hos-
pitably entertained ; but as his uncle was a whig, and had
a son, a young gentleman of liberal education, and most
amiable disposition, who strongly felt for his bleeding
country, and being very active in tlie military way. was
urged and prevailed on to take a commission in the Conti-
nental army ; consequently Samuel was obliged to conduct
with caution, and counterfeit, as well as he could, a whig-
gish phiz, while he tarried, which was, howev(n-, buta short
time, before he made his escape to General Howe in New
York. Some time after this. Captain Hale, at the request
of the General, went into New York in disguise, and having
nearly accomplished his designs, who should be meet but
his aforesaid cousin Samuel, whom he attempted to shun ;
but Sam knew him too w-ell. Captain Hale soon found lie
was advertised, and so particularly described, that he could
not get through Long Island. He therefore attempted to
escape by King's-bridge, and so far succeeded as to get to
tlie outer guard, where he was suspected, apprehended,
carried back and tried, and j^et would have been acquitted,
had not his affectionate and grateful cousin Samuel ap-
peared and made oath, that he was a captain in the Conti-
nental army, and that he was in there as a spy, in conse-
quence of which he was immediately hung up. However,
at the gallows he made a sensible and spirited speech ;
among other things told them they were shedding the blood
108 SONGS AND BALLADS.
of the innocent, and that if he had ten thousand lives, he
would lay them all down, if called to it, in defense of this
injured bleeding country.
" Tlie printers throughout the continent are desired to
exhibit this tragical scene to the public ; that they may see
what they may expect if they fall into the hands of the
tories."
'^ Hannah Adams' History of New England.
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND.
1776.
This ironical, and burlesque old song, was composed in
the early part of 1777. The author treats of the unsuccess-
ful attack on Sullivan's Island, by the British, in the sum-
mer of the previous year, and closes his epic with promises
to gain lasting fame for the royal arms, in all future
actions. In the papers of the time, it appears as a " New
War Song, by Sir Peter Parker," written and printed in Lon-
don, and adapted to the tune, " Well met, brother Tar T'
A NEW WAR SONG.
My Lords, with your leave,
An account I will give,^
That deserves to be written in meter :
For the rebels and I,
Have been pretty nigh.
Faith almost too nigh for Sir Peter.
With much labor and toil,
Unto Sullivan's Isle, ^
I came firm as Falstaff or Pistol,
But the Yankees, 'od rot 'em,
I could not get at 'em :
Most terribly maul'd my poor Bristol.^
A NEW WAR SONG. 109
Bold Clinton by land,*
Did quietly stand,
While I made a thundering clatter ;
But the channel was deep.
So he only could peep,
And not venture over the water.
De'il take 'em, their shot
Came so swift and so hot.
And the cowardly dogs ^ stood so stiff, sirs!
That I put ship about.
And was glad to get out,
Or they would not have left me a skiff, sirs !
Now bold as a Turk,
I proceed to New York/'
Where with Clinton and Howe you may find me.
I've the wind in my tail.
And am hoisting my sail,
To leave Sullivan's island behind me.
But my Lords, do not fear,
For before the next year.
Although a small island could fret us,
The Continent whole.
We shall take, by my soul,
If the cowardly Yankees ^ will let us.
1 An account I ivill give. Late in the month of June,
1776, General Sir Henry Clinton, and Sir Peter Parker,
witli a powerful fleet and army, attempted the reduction
of Charleston, South Carolina. The fleet came to anchor,
at less than half musket shot from the fort on Sullivan's
Island, and commenced the engagement. It lasted over
110 SONGS AND BALLADS.
ten hours, when the British were repulsed, after suffering
great loss. After the firing ceased, tlie fleet slipped their
cables, and before the next morning had retired two miles
from the fort.
2 Sullivan's Isle is situated on the northern side of Charles-
ton harbor, about four miles from the town.
3 Most terribly ynauVd my poor Bristol. The Bristol flag-
ship, under tiie command of Sir Peter Parker, was greatly
damaged in the hull. Commodore Parker's breeches were
torn off, his thigh and knee wounded, so that he walked
only Avhen supported on each side. The following extem-
pore appeared in the Constitutional Gazette, at New York,
a short time after this action.
If " honor in the breech is lodged,"
As Hadibras has shown.
It may from thence be fairly judged,
Sir Peter's honor gone.
4 Bold Clinton by land. General Clinton, some time
before the engagement, landed with a number of troops on.
Long Island, and it was expected he would have co-operated
with Sir Peter Parker, bv crossing the narrow passage
which divides the two islands ; but Colonel Thompson with
eight hundred ineTi, stationed to oppose him, induced him
to decline the perilous attempt.
^ And the cowardly doqs. The garrison under the com-
mand of Colonel Moultrie, although composed entirely of
raw troops, showed determination and coolness that would
have done honor to the oldest men in the service. They
fired deliberately, for the most part took aim, and seldom
missed their object. On the day after this gallant action,
Moultrie cheered his officers and men in the following
spirited and singular language: ''My brave companions,
you see the advantage of courage and fortitude. \ou
have fought and have conquered, and the gallapt fellows
who fell in the cannonade of yesterday, are now in Heaven,
riding in their chariots like the devil." , ,^n.n
New Jersey Journal, 1 n9.
^ I proceed to New York. A few days after the engage-
ment, the troops re-embarked and the whole sailed for
1 If the cowardly Yankees. During the hottest fire of Sir
Peter Parker's squadron, the flag of tlie fort was shot down.
Sergeant William Jasper immediately stood upon tlie ram-
parts with the flag in his hand, until another statt was
handed to him, when he planted it and retired.
INDEPENDENCE. m
INDEPENDENCE.
1776.
This bold song aj^peared in the "Freeman's Journal," i
about one month previous to the declaration of indepen-
dence, as a " Parody on an ode published in the Town and
Country Magazine," in 1774. Tlie loyal papers of the time
speak of it as a specimen of •'highborn rebel melody."
There is a low and vulgar parody on this song, in a collec-
tion of " Fugitive Pieces," published at London in 1777.
INDEPENDENCE.
Freemen ! if you pant for glory,
If you sigh to live in story,
If you burn with patriot zeal ;
Seize this bright auspicious hour,
Chase those venal tools of power.
Who subvert the public weal.
Huzza ! Huzza ! Huzza !
See Freedom her banner display,
Whilst glory and virtue your bosoms inspire.
Corruption's proud slaves shall with anguish retire.
Would traitors base with bribes beguile you,
Or with idiot scoffs revile you,
Ne'er your sacred trusts betray
Hancock, Adams, nobly pleading.
Never from the truth receding,
Them, North's vengeance can't dismay.
112 SONGS AND BALLADS.
See, their glorious path pursuing,
All Britannia's troops subduing.
Patriots whom no threats restrain.
Lawless tyrants all confounding,
Future times their praise resounding,
Shall their triumphs long maintain.
^ Freeman's Journal. Among the newspapers foremost
in support of the cause of the colonies, the "Freeman's
Journal, or New Hampshire Gazette," published at Ports-
mouth, took a most decided and fearless position. No
number of that paper appeared during that ''well-tried
contest," without some urgent appeal, filled with hope
and encouragement for those who were struggling for
their "rights and religion;" and its editors were ever
faithful to their trusts and principles ; never faltering to
upbraid and oppose all who entertained any sympathy or
affection for tlie British Government.
TO THE COMMONS.
1776.
This song was written in England, and first published in
the Middlesex Journal, over the signature of M. On a
broadside, dated 1777, the author says : " My efforts were
so well received last year, I liave the temerity to republish,
in a more portable form, and try tlie royal brutes again.
Heaven help us. if they will not take good advice, or stop
for reflection, for they are speedily leading us to the "
TO THE COMMONS.
ON MEETING AFTER THE RECESS.
With Christmas mirth, and Christmas cheer,
My friends pray look not glummer ;
TO THE COMMONS. II3
With turkey, chine, and beef and beer,
You're surely in good humor.
The folks on t'other side the wave,
Have beef as well as you, sirs ;
Some chines, and turkeys too, they have,
And as they bake they brew, sirs.
What, tho' your cannon raze their towns,
And tumble down their houses.
They'll fight like devils ' — blood and '00ns,
For children and for spouses.
Another truth — nay, 'tis no boast.
Nor yet the lie o' th' day, sirs ;
The saints on Massachusetts coast.
Gain if they run away, sirs.
For further than your bullets fly,
A common man may run, sirs.
And wheat will grow beneath the sky,
Where cannot reach a gun, sirs.
Then what are ships, and swords, and guns.
And men of bloody mind, sirs.
While, Parthian-like, who conquers runs.
Who loses, — stays behind, sirs.
Then rise, my men, in merry mood.
Vote — nem-con-tra-di-cente.
That five and five for ten are good.
And ten and ten make twenty.
114: SONGS AND BALLADS.
Recall your ships, your troops recall,
Let friends each other nourish.
So shall old England rule the ball.
And George and freedom flourish.
"^ They II fight like devils. I see that the conduct of the
New England peasantry has softened the hearts of some of
our wise nobs, and that they dare to allow them a degree
of " wisdom, courage, and bravery," although they have
modified their praise slightly since the '' dastard rebels,"
have gone to rhyming. Here's a fine specimen of " cow-
ardice," by the last mail, from " loyal Virginia."
•' Let Britons, now sunk into tyrants and slaves !
Submit to be governed by fools and by knaves.
Not so will their kindred on this side the sea.
American Britons will ever be free."
Note by author of the Song.
ON INDEPENDENCE.
1776.
Tlie defiance and devotion expressed in these verses, are
an excellent illustration of the spirit of the times, in which
tliey were written. The author. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell
Sewall.i of New Hampshire, composed many poems and
patriotic songs. His ode of War and Washington is famil-
iar to every one.
ON INDEPENDENCE.
Come all you brave soldiers, both valiant and free,
It's for independence we all now agree ;
Let us gird on our swords, and prepare to defend.
Our liberty, property, ourselves and our friends.
In a cause that's so righteous, come let us agree.
And from hostile invaders set America free.
ON INDEPENDENCE. 115
The cause is so glorious we need not to fear,
But from merciless tyrants we'll set ourselves clear.
Heaven's blessing attending us, no tyrant shall say.
That Americans e'er to such monsters gave way.
But fighting we'll die in America's cause.
Before we'll submit to tyrannical laws.
George the Third, of Great Britain, no more shall
he reign.
With unlimited sway o'er these free States again.
Lord North nor old Bute, nor none of their clan,
Shall ever be honor'd by an American.
May Heaven's blessings descend on our United
States,
And grant that the union may never abate ;
May love, peace, and harmony, ever be found.
For to go hand in hand America round.
Upon our grand Congress may Heaven bestow,
Both wisdom and skill our good to pursue ;
On Heaven alone dependent we'll be.
But from all earthly tyrants we mean to be free.
Unto our brave Generals may Heaven give skill.
Our armies to guide, and the sword for to Avield,
May their hands taught to war, and their fingers to
fight.
Be able to put British armies to flight.
And now, brave Americans, since it is so.
That w^e are independent, we'll have them to know.
116 SONGS AND BALLADS.
That united we are, and united we'll be,
And from all British tyrants we'll try to keep free.
May Heaven smile on us in all our endeavors,
Safe guard our seaports, our towns, and our rivers.
Keep us from invaders by land and by sea.
And from all who'd deprive us of our liberty.
1 Jonathan M. Sewall was born in 1749. Being adopted
by his uncle, Chief Justice Stephen Sevvall, of Massa-
ciiusetts, he studied law, and in 1774 was Register of Pro-
bate for Grafton Co., N. H. He afterwards removed to
Portsmouth, where he died Marcli 29, 1808.
Allen's Biographical Dictionary.
A BALLAD.
1776.
TO THE TUNE OF "SMILE, BRITANNIA."
Rise, rise, bright genius rise.
Conduct thy sons to war ;
Thy spear pois'd to the skies.
Whirl, whirl, thy rapid car ;
T'ire each firm breast with noble zeal,
To conquer for the common weal.
For years the iron rod.
Has hover'd o'er our heads,
Submit to George's nod.
Whose power all Europe dreads ;
The slavish minion trembling cries.
But freedom's sons all fears despise.
A BALLAD. 1J7
All means for peace we've tried,
But found those measures vain,
North's ministerial pride,
Thought fear made us complain ;
But in the end convinc'd he'll see.
We dread not death, but slavery.
Tho' fatal lust of power,
Has steel'd the tyrant's soul,
Tho' in an ill-timed hour,
He bid his thunders roll,
Great Liberty, inspir'd by thee,
We fly to death or victory !
Great nature's law inspires.
All free-born souls unite,
While common interest fires
Us to defend our rights,
Against corruption's boundless claim.
And firmly fix great freedom's reign.
They foreign troops employ,
For mercenary hire ;
Their weakness we enjoy,
Each pulse new ardors fire ;
Convinc'd the wretch who fights for pay,
Will never bear the palm away.
They boast their power by sea.
The ruin of our trade.
Our navy soon they'll see.
Wide o'er the ocean spread ;
118 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Britain not long shall boast her reign,
O'er the wide empire of the main.
Throughout the universe,
Our commerce we'll extend,
Each power on the reverse,
Shall seek to be our friends.
Whilst our sons, crown'd with wealth immense,
Sing Washington and Common Sense.
BATTLE OF TRENTOX.
1776.
Numerous songs, odes, epigrams and pasquinades, com-
memorating this battle, appeared during the war. We
have several loyal productions upon this subject ; but they
are too profane and corrupt for publication at the present
time. TJie author of tlie one subjoined is unknown. The
Earl Dorset's lyric " Fire of Love," which was very popular
at the period of the Revolution, is, probably, the song upon
which this was modeled.
BATTLE OF TRENTON.i
On Christmas day in seventy-six,
Our ragged 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.
BATTLE OF TRENTON. 119
Great Washington he led us on,
Whose streaming flag, in storm or sun,
Had never known disgrace.
In silent march we pass'd tlie night,
Each soldier panting for the fight.
Though quite benumb'd with frost.
Greene, on the left, at six began,
The right Avas led by Sullivan,
Who ne'er a moment lost.
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 center, front, and rear was seen
Driving fatigue away.
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.
120 SONGS AND BALLADS.
1 Battle of Trenton. Curiosities of American Literature,
by Rufus W. Griswold. *
2 Some scamper d there. " It is said some Hessian officers
and other mercenaries, were greatly disturbed one morn-
ing, at Trenton, when they waked up and found rebels
knocking in their doors.''
3 With all their colors. '* On the Hessian standards
taken at Trenton, were the w^ords : ' Nescit Pericula,'' — a
fearlessness of danger, — which was not displayed in the
battle where the standards were surrendered, and which
liath drawn on the timid Hessian, and his vaunting motto,
the following epigram :
*' The man who submits without striking a blow-
May be said, in a sense, no danger to know :
I pray, then, what harm, by the humble submission,
At Trenton was done by the standard of Hessian ? "
N. H. Gazette.
THE HEADS :
OR THE YEAR.
1776.
This song was probably written in England. There were
several versions of it published in this country. We select
the best.
THE HEADS.
Ye wrong heads, and strong heads, attend to my
strains ;
Ye clear heads, and queer heads, and heads without
brains ;
Ye thick skulls, and quick skulls, and heads great
and small ;
And ye heads that aspire to be heads over all.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
THE HEADS. 121
Ye ladies — I would not offend for the world,
Whose bright heads, and light heads, are feather'd
and curFd ;
The mighty dimensions dame Nature surprise,
To find she'd so grossly mistaken the size.
And ye petit-maitres, your heads I might spare,
Encumber'd with nothing — but powder and hair ;
Who vainly disgrace the true monkey race,
By transplanting the tail from its own native place.
Enough might be said, durst I venture my rhymes,
On crown'd heads, and round heads, of these modern
times ;
This slippery path let me cautiously tread —
The neck else may answer, perhaps, for the head.
The heads of the church, and the heads of the state,
Have taught much, and wrought much, — too much
to repeat ;
On the neck of corruption uplifted, 'tis said.
Some rulers, alas ! are too high by the head.
Ye schemers and dreamers of politic things.
Projecting the downfall of kingdoms and kings ;
Can your wisdom declare how this body is fed.
When the members rebel and wage war with the
head?
Expounders, confounders, and heads of the law,
I bring case in point, do not point out a flaw ;
122 SONGS AND BALLADS.
If reason is treason, wjiat plea shall I plead ?
To your chief I appeal — for your chief has a head.
On Britannia's bosom sweet Liberty smiPd,
The parent grew strong while she foster'd the child,
Neglecting her offspring, a fever she bred.
Which contracted her limbs, and distracted her head.
Ye learned state doctors, your labors are vain.
Proceeding by bleeding to settle her brain ;
Much less can your art the lost members restore.
Amputation must follow — perhaps something more.
Pale Goddess of Whim ! when with cheeks lean or
full,
Thy influence seizes an Englishman's skull,
He blunders, yet wonders his schemes ever fail,
Tho' often mistaking the head for the tail.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
THE JERSEYS.
1776.
This parody on the " Watery God " was occasioned by the
success of the Americans at Trenton and Princeton. It
was published a short time after tliose victories, and soon
became a favorite.
A PARODY.
As Mars, great god of battles ! lay.
In dalliance soft and amorous play,
On fair Bellona's breast ;
THE JERSEYS. 123
Surpris'd he rear'd his hoary head,
The conscious goddess shook with dread,
And all her fears confess'd.
Loud thunder roU'd through Heaven's domain,
The ethereal world was wrapt in flame,
The god amazed spoke :
Go forth, ye powers, and make it known,
* Who dares thus boldly shake my throne,
And fill my realms with smoke.
The gods, obsequious to his word.
Sprang swiftly forth t' obey their lord,
And saw two hosts away ;
The one, great Washington, was thine ;
The other, Howe's disordered line,
In sorrow and dismay.
Appall'd they view'd Columbia's sons.
Deal death and slaughter from their guns,
And strike a dreadful blow,
Which made ill-fated British slaves.
On distant shores to find their graves.
And sink to shades below.
Amaz'd they tell of battles won.
That Britain's ruin'd ; Washington
Alone triumphant rode ;
Ha ! cries the fair, pray who is he
That dare's reverse e'en Jove's decree,
^ And thus insult a god ?
124 SONGS AND BALLADS.
The gods reply, in yonder lands,
Great Liberty alone commands.
And gives the hero force ;
And when his thundering cannon roar,
And strike with dread earth's distant shore,
'Tis she directs their course.
And when her winged bullets fly,
To check a tyrant's treachery, •
And lay his glories low ;
Then Washington serenely great,
Tho' death and carnage round him wait,
Performs the dreadful blow.
The god with wonder heard the story,
Astonish'd view'd Columbia's glory,
Which time can ne'er subdue,
Great Warren's deeds, and Gates's fame,
Join'd to great Lee's immortal name ; ^
And cried. Can this be true ?
Britain shall cease to plague mankind.
With sister tyrants strive to bind,
And check the free-born soul ;
To Washington her trophies yield.
Freedom shall triumph in the field.
And rule from pole to pole.
1 Lee's immortal name. General Chaiies Lee was taken
prisoner in 1776, while marching through New Jersey to
join General Washington, and was not exchanged until
1778. Tliis song was written while lie remained with the
British. m,
THE PROPHETIC EGG. 125
THE PROPHETIC EGG.
1777.
The following lines appeared in the early part of 1777^
with this introduction. *' As the superstition and weakness
of human nature is such, that sometimes the most trivial
circumstance ; or grossest absurdity is attended with seri-
ous consequences, we acquaint the timid aud credulous,
that characters inscribed on adamant are much more
durable than when wrote only on an egg-shell. And also
inform the public, that about the time the prophetic egg
M^as laid in the town of Plymouth, with this wonderful
prediction wrote on its shell, " Oh, oh, America. Howe
shall be thy conqueror " a hermit, resembling the Genius of
America, who had resided in a certain forest from the first
settlement of the country, found the following lines
inscribed on a fragment of marble near Ids cave, visited by
the curious from all parts of Europe, for the remarkable
echo, wliich oft reverberated in loud peals, heard beyond
the Atlantic."
ANOTHER PROPHECY.i
Britannia sinks beneath her crimes,
She dies — she dies — let empire rise,
And freedom cheer the western skies.
When every art and menace fails,
And Tory lies and Tory tales.
Are universally abhorr'd.
They now pretend to fear the Lord.
Instead of virtue, a long face ;
Instead of piety, grimace ;
Pretend strange revelation given,
And intimation sent from Heaven.
To carry on the schemes of Bute,
126 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A speaking egg they substitute.
A strange plienomenon indeed,
The stratagem must sure succeed ;
And every mortal die with fear,
When they the sad jDrediction hear.
The egg was laid without the tent,
Ergo, it was from Heaven sent.
The egg was found Avithin a barn,
Ergo, from it we surely learn.
When eggs can speak what fools indite
And hens can talk as well as write.
When crocodiles shed honest tears.
And truth with hypocrites appears ;
When every man becomes a knave,
And feels the spirit of the slave ;
And when veracity again,
Shall in a Tory's bosom reign ;
When vice is virtue, darkness light,
And freemen are afraid to fight ;
When they forget to play the men.
And with the spirit of a hen,
Desert the just and sacred cause ;
And opening Heaven smiles applause
On such a bloody, barbarous foe.
Then I'll be conquered by a Howe.
1 Another prophecy. The creduhty of the ignorant was
often imposed on by the advocates of both parties, during
the revolution. The following extract from a letter, writ-
ten a short time after the battle at Treiiton, will explain
itself. "The enemy appear to be panic-struck in the
extreme. God prospers our arms in an extraordinary
TO BRITAIN. 12T
manner. There is to be an eclipse of the sun to-day, and
v-3 mean, if possible, to attack the Germans as soon as it
beging, and take advantage of their ignorant superstition."
TO BRITAIN.
1777.
The following bold lines are taken from the *' Crafts-
man, or Say's British Journal." The American newspa-
pers, both loyal and whig, generally republished them.
Blush Britain ! blush at thy inglorious war,
This civil contest, this ignoble jar ;
Think how unjustly you've begun the fray,
With cruel measures rous'd America.
To arms ! each swain must leave the peaceful field.
And 'gainst his brethren lift the sword and shield.
Their spacious commerce, now in ruin lies.
And thro' their land the hostile standard flies
Britain, what laurel canst thou hope to gain ?
Can any action give a hero fame ?
In brother's blood our soldiers' hands imbru'd,
And barb'rous hostiles by our chiefs pursu'd.
Afflicting Britain, thus to spoil thy name.
Defeat's a scandal, conquest but a shame.
Our senators all lost in dire excess.
Lovers of pleasure, luxury, and dress.
Almighty ruler, stretch thy potent hand,
And o'er Britannia wave the olive wand ;
128 SONGS AND BxVLLADS.
Preserve our nation from th' impending fate,
Drive clouds of Scotchmen from the British state ;
Fair peace descend, with all thy prosp'rous train.
And spread thy blessings o'er oar spacious plain.
GENERAL SULLIVAN'S SONG.
1777.
This song " was sung before General SuUivan and a few-
respectable gentlemen, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
after the battle of Trenton."
GENERAL SULLIVAN'S SONG.
Hark, the loud drums, hark, the 3hrill trumpet-
call to arms.
Come, Americans, come, prepare for war's alarms,
Whilst in array we stand,
What soldier dare to land.
Sure in the attempt to meet his doom,
A leaden death, or a watery tomb ;
We, Americans, so brave, o'er the land or the
waves.
All invaders defy, we'll repulse them or die,
We scorn to live as slaves.
Recall the days, wherein our fathers bravely
fought.
And crown'd with praise, they patriot glory sought,
Bid their high deeds inspire.
Bid Magna Charta fire.
BURGOYNE'S PROCLAMATION. 129
Greatly they labor'd for our good,
All sorts of tyranny withstood,
All these we despise, on our courage rely,
For what American so base would his country dis-
grace
And from his colors fly.
No party spite, no more our measures will oppose,
For all unite against our insulting foes.
All then in chorus sing.
And let your voices ring.
Fill unto Sullivan the flowing bowl,
Hand it to each gallant soul,
Raise patriot flame, his glory proclaim
Who his sword boldly draws in his country's cause,
And wins an endless name.
THE PROCLAMATION.
On the fourth of July, 1777, General Burgoyne issued a
proclamation from his camp, near Ticonderoga, intended
to spread terror among the Americans. But it was so
pompous and bombastic, that, instead of producing the
desired effect, it became the subject of ridicule and deris-
ion. The subjoined version of it, is attributed to Francis
Hopkinson.
BURGOYNES PROCLAMATION.
By John Burgoyne, and Burgoyne, John, Esq.,
And grac'd with titles still more higher,^
For I'm Lieutenant-general, too.
130 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Of George's troops both red and blue,
On this extensive continent ;
And of Queen Charlotte's regiment
Of light dragoons the Colonel ;
And Governor eke of Castle Wil —
And furthermore, when I am there,
In House of Commons I appear,
[Hoping ere long to be a Peer.]
Being a member of that virtuous band
Who always vote at North's command ;
Directing too the fleet and troops
From Canada as thick as hops ;
And all my titles to display,
I'll end with thrice et cetera.
The troops consign'd to my command
Like Hercules to purge the land,
Intend to act in combination
With th' other forces of the nation.
Displaying wide thro' every quarter
What Britain's justice would be after.
It is not difficult to show it,
And every mother's son must know it,
That what she meant at first to gain
By requisitions and chicane.
She's now determin'd to acquire
By kingly reason ; sword and fire.
I can appeal to all your senses,
Your judgments, feelings, tastes and fancies ;
Your ears and eyes have heard and seen,
LIow causeless this revolt has been ;
BURGOYNE'S PROCLAMATION. 131
And what a dust your leaders kick up ;
In this rebellious civil hickup,
And how, upon this curs'd foundation,
Was rear'd the system of vexation
Over a stubborn generation.
But now inspired with patriot love
I come th' oppression to remove ;
To free you from the heavy clog
Of every tyrant demagogue.
Who for the most romantic story,
Claps into limbo loyal Toiy,
All hurly burly, hot and hasty,
Without a writ to hold him fast by ;
Nor suffers any living creature,
[Led by the dictates of his nature,]
To fight in green for Britain's cause,
Or aid us to restore her laws ;
In short, the vilest generation
Which in vindictive indignation,
Almighty vengeance ever hurPd
From this to the infernal world.
A Tory cannot move his tongue.
But whip, in prison he is flung.
His goods and chattels made a prey.
By those vile mushrooms of a day.
He's tortur'd too, and scratch 'd and bit,
And plung-d into a dreary pit ;
Where he must suffer sharper doom.
Than e'er was hatched by Church of Rome.
These things are done by rogues, who dare
132 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Profess to breathe in Freedom's air.
To petticoats alike and breeches
Their cruel domination stretches,
For the sole crime, or sole suspicion
[What worse is done by th' inquisition?]
Of still adhering to the crown,
Their tyrants striving to kick down,
Who by perverting law and reason.
Allegiance construe into treason.
Religion too is often made
A stalking horse to drive the trade.
And warring churches dare implore.
Protection from th' Almighty pow'r ;
They fast and pray : in Providence
Profess to place their confidence ;
And vainly think the Lord of all
Regards our squabbles on this ball ;
Which would appear as droll in Britain
As any whim that one could hit on ;
Men's consciences are set at naught.
Nor reason valued at a groat ;
And they that will not swear and fight.
Must sell their all, and say good night.
By such important views there pres't to,
I issue this my manifesto.
I, the great knight of de la Mancha,
Without 'Squire Carleton, my Sancho,
Will tear you limb from limb asunder.
With cannon, blunderbuss and thunder ;
And spoil your feathering and your tarring ;
BURGOYNE'S PROCLAMATION. 133
And cagg you up for pickled herring.
h . front of troops as spruce as beaux,
And ready to lay on their blows,
I'll spread destruction far and near ;
And where I cannot kill, I'll spare,
Inviting, by these presents, all,
Both young and old, and great and small,
And rich and poor, and Whig and Tory,
In cellar deep, or lofty story ;
Where'er my troops at my command
Shall swarm like locusts o'er the land.
(And they shall march from the North Pole
As far, at least, as Pensacole,)
So break off their communications,
That I can save their habitations ;
For finding that Sir William's plunders,
Prove in the event apparent blunders.
It is my full determination.
To check all kinds of depredation;
But when I've got you in my pow'r,
Favor'd is he, I Inst devour.
From him who loves a quiet life.
And keeps at home to kiss his wife.
And drinks success to king Pigmalion,
And calls all Congresses Rabscallion,
^V'ith neutral stomach eats his supper,
Nor deems the contest worth a copper ;
I will not defalcate a groat.
Nor force his wife to cut his throat ;
But with his doxy he may stay.
134 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And life to fight anotlier day ;
Drinl?: all the cider he has made,
And have to boot, a green cockade.
But as I like a good Sir Loin,
And mutton chop whene'er I dine.
And my poor troops have long kept Lent,
Not for religion, but for want,
Whoe'er secretes cow, bull or ox,
Or shall presume to hide his flocks ;
Or with felonious hand eloign
Pig, duck, or gosling from Burgoyne,
Or dare to pull the bridges down,
My boys to puzzle or to drown ;
Or smuggle hay, or plough, or harrow,
Cart, horses, wagons or wheelbarrow;
Or 'thwart the path, lay straw or switch,
As folks are wont to stop a Avitch,
I'll hang him as the Jews did Haman ;
And smoke his carcase for a gammon.
I'll pay in coin for Avhat I eat.
Or Continental counterfeit.
But what's more likely still, I shall
(So fare my troops,) not pay at all.
With the most Christian spirit fir'd,
And by true soldiership inspir'd,
I speak as men do in a passion
To give my speech the more impression.
If any should so harden'd be.
As to expect impunity.
Because procul a fulmine.
BURGOYNE-S PROCLAMATION. 135
I will let loose the dogs of Hell,
Ten thousand Indians, who shall yell,
And foam and tear, and grin and roar,
And drench their moccasins in gore ;
To these I'll give full scope and play
From Ticonderog to Florida ;
They'll scalp your heads, and kick your shins,
And rip your , and flay your skins,
And of your ears be nimble croppers.
And make your thumbs tobacco-stoppers.
If after all these loving warnings.
My wishes and my bowels' yearnings.
You shall remain as deaf as adder.
Or grow with hostile rage the madder,
I swear by George, and by St. Paul
I will exterminate you all.
Subscrib'd with my manual sign
To test these presents, John Burgoyne.
1 Titles still more higher. In his proclamation the Gen-
eral announced himself as " Jolin Burgoyne, Esq., Lieut-
enant-general of his Majesty's armies in America, Colonel
of the Queen's regiment of light dragoons. Governor of Fort
William in North Britain, one of the representatives of the
Commons of Great Britain in Parliament, and command-
ing an army and fleet employed on an expedition from
Canada, etc., etc., etc." On the surrender of the British
army in the autumn of 1777, Governor \Yilliam Livingston,
of New Jersey, proposed to exchange Burgoyne. " in such
a manner as would, at the same time, flatter his vanity,
and redound to the greatest emolument of America," He
proposed to detain him until " we can get in exchange for
him, one Esquire, two Major-generals, tliree Colonels of
light horse, two Governors, one member of Congress, the
Admiral of our navy, one Commander-in-chief, in a
separate department, and six privates."
-[36 SONGS AND BALLADS.
SARATOGA SONG.
1777.
This ballad was known during the revolution, as the
" North Campaign," " Gates' vSong," and " A Song for the
Red-Coats." It Jms been attributed to a " private of Colo-
nel Brook's regiment,"" A and also to the author of " Amer-
ican Taxation."'
A SONG FOR THE RED-COATS.
Come unto me ye heroes
Whose hearts are true and bold,
Who vakie more your honor,
Than others do their gold ;
Give ear unto my story,
And I the truth will tell,
Concerning many a soldier.
Who for his country fell.
Burgoyne, the king's commander,
From Canada set sail,
With full eight thousand regulars.
He thought he could not fail ;
With Indians and Canadians,
And his curs'd Tory crew.
On board his fleet of shipping.
He up the Champlain flew.
Before Ticonderoga,
The first day of July,
Appeared his ships and army,
And we did them espy.
SARATOGA SONG. 137
Their motions we observed,
Full well both night and day,
And our brave boys prepared,
To have a bloody fray.
Our garrison they viewed them,
And straight their troops did landy
And when St. Clair, our chieftain,
The fact did understand.
That they the Mount Defiance
Were bent to fortify.
He found we must surrender.
Or else prepare to die.
The fifth day of July, then.
He ordered a retreat.
And when next morn we started,
Burgoyne thought we were beat.
And closely he pursued us.
Till when near Hubbardton,
Our rear guards were defeated.
He thought the country won.
And when 'twas told in Congress,
That we our forts had left.
To Albany retreated.
Of all the North bereft ;
Brave General Gates they sent us,
Our fortunes to retrieve.
And him with shouts of gladness.
The army did receive.
138 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Where first the Mohawk's waters,
Do in the sunshine play,
For Herkimer's brave soldiers,
Sellinger ^ ambush'd lay ;
And them he there defeated.
But soon he had his due,
And scared by Brooks and Arnold,
He to the north withdrew.
To take the stores and cattle,
That we had gather'd then,
Burgoyne sent a detachment
Of fifteen hundred men ;
By Baum they were commanded ,
To Bennington they went;
To plunder and to murder,
Was fully their intent.
But little did they know then,
With whom they had to deal.
It was not quite so easy.
Our stores and stock to steal ;
Bold Stark would give them only,
A portion of his lead ;
With half his crew ere sunset,
Baum lay among the dead.
The nineteenth of ^September,
The morning cool and clear.
Brave Gates rode through our army.
Each soldier's heart to cheer ;
SARATOGA SONG. 139
" Burgoyne," he cried, " advances,
But we Avill never fly,
No — rather than surrender.
We'll fight hhn till we die."
The news was quickly brought us.
The enemy was near,
And all along our lines then
There was no sign of fear ;
It was above Stillwater
We met at noon that day.
And every one expected
To see a bloody fray.
Six hours the battle lasted.
Each heart was true as gold.
The British fought like lions,
And we like Yankees bold ;
The leaves with blood were crimson,
And then brave Gates did cry —
" 'Tis diamond now cut diamond !
We'll beat them, boys, or die."
The darkness soon approaching.
It forced us to retreat,
Into our lines till morning,
Which made them think us beat ;
But ere the sun was risen,
They saw before their eyes.
Us ready to engage them.
Which did them much surprise.
140 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Of fighting they seem weary.
Therefore to work they go,
Their thousand dead to bury,
And breastworks up to throw ;
With grape and bombs intending
Our army to destroy.
Or from our works our forces
By stratagem decoy.
The seventh day of October,
The British tried again.
Shells from their cannons throwing,
Which fell on us like rain ;
To drive us from our stations.
That they might thus retreat;
For now Burgoyne saw plainly.
He never could us beat.
But vain was his endeavor
Our men to terrify ;
Though death was all around us.
Not one of us would fly.
But when an hour we'd fought them,
And they began to yield.
Along our lines the cry ran,
« The next blow wins the field ! "
Great God, who guides their battles,
Whose cause is just and true.
Inspire our bold commander.
The course he should pursue.
SARATOGA SONG. 14X
He ordered Arnold forward,
And Brodks to follow on ;
The enemy was routed !
Our liberty was won !
Then burning all their luggage,
They fled with haste and fear,
Burgoyne with all his forces,
To Saratogue did steer ;
And Gates, our brave commander,
Soon after him did hie.
Resolving he would take them.
Or in the effort die.
As we came nigh the village.
We overtook the foe ;
They'd burned each house to ashes,
Like all where'er they go.
The seventeenth of October,
They did capitulate,
Burgoyne and his proud army.
Did we our piis'ners make.
Now, here's a health to Arnold,
And our commander Gates,
To Lincoln and to Washington,
Whom every Tory hates ;
Likewise unto our Congress,
God grant it long to reign ;
Our Country, Right, and Justice,
Forever to maintain.
142 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Now finish'd is my story,
My song is at an end ;
The freedom we're enjoying
We're ready to defend :
For while our cause is righteous,
Heaven nerves the soldier's arm,
And vain is their endeavor,
Who strive to do us harm.
1 Curiosities of American Literature, by Rufus W. Gris-
wold, page 32.
2 St. Leger, pronounced Sellinger.
A SONG.
1777.
A very few ballads were pubHshed during the year 1777.
" For some reason the muse is asleep," says the editor of the
New Jersey Journal, shortly after the defeat of Burgoyne.
THE FATE OF JOHN BURGOYNE.
When Jack, the King's commander,
Was going to his duty.
Through all the crowd he smil'd and bow'd,
To every blooming beauty.
The city rung with feats he'd done.
In Portugal and Flanders,
And all the town thought he'd be crown'd
The first of Alexanders.
To Hampton Court he first repairs.
To kiss great George's hand, sirs.
THE FATE OF JOHN BURGOYNE. 143
Then to harangue on state affairs,
Before he left the land, sirs.
The " lower house " sat mute as mouse.
To hear his grand oration ;
And " all the peers " with loudest cheers,
Proclaim'd him to the nation.
Then off he went to Canada,
Next to Ticonderoga,
And quitting those, away he goes,
Straightway to Saratoga.
With great parade his march he made,
To gain his wished for station,
When far and wide his minions hied.
To spread his " Proclamation."
To such as staid he offers made.
Of " pardon on submission ;
But savage bands should waste the lands
Of all in opposition."
But ah, the cruel fate of war !
This boasted son of Britain,
When mounting his triumphal car.
With sudden fear w^as smitten.
The sons of freedom gathered round.
His hostile bands confoinided.
And when they'd fain have turn'd their back.
They found themselves surrounded !
144 SONGS AND BALLADS.
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.
Brave St. Clair when he first retired,
Knew what the fates portended ;
And Arnold and heroic Gates,
His conduct have defended.
Thus may America's brave sons
With honor be rewarded.
And be the fate of all her foes.
The same as here recorded.
BURGOYNE'S OVERTHROW.
1777.
This poetical •' arni)'^ return " was first published in the
" Iris," (June, 1841,) from the original MS. in the possession
of George H. Moore, one of the editors of that periodical.
It is a resume of tlie losses of the British army during the
nortliern campaign which terminated at Saratoga, and,
as will be noticed by the reader, gives the results in round
numbers.
BURGOYNE'S OVERTHROW AT SARATOGA.
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,
BURGOYNE'S OVERTHROW.
145
Have been brought low by fort'nate Gates.
To bend to the United States.
British prisoners by Convention, .... 2442
Foreigners — by Contra- vention, 2198
Tories sent across the Lake, 1100
Burgoyne and suite, in state, 12
Sick and wounded, bruised and pounded,
Ne'er so mucli before confounded.
Prisoners of war before Convention,
Deserters come with kind intention,
Tliey lost at Bennington's great battle.
Where glorious Starke's arms did rattle.
Killed in September and October, . .
Ta'en by brave Brown, some drunk, some sober, 413
Slain by high-famed Herkerman, |
On both flanks, on rear and van, )
Indians, suttlers, and 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 down their arms they should lay.
Abhorring that obnoxious day ;
The whole make fourteen thousand men,
Wlio may not with us fight again.
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 —
528
400
300
1220
600
300
y 4413
14,000
146 SONGS AND BALLADS.
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 Bellcaras,
Who came, our country free to harass.
Two Baronets of high extraction,
Were sorely wounded in the action.
THE GAMESTER.
1778.
The defeat of General Burgoyne caused great alarm and
uneasiness in England. Parliament soon after that event
sent commissioners to the Continental Congress, witli pro-
posals for a mutual adjustment of the exislii)g difficulties,
couched in the most conciliatory and plausible terms, and
calculated to occasion disaffection among the people of the
colonies, who, in many instances, were becoming disheart-
ened and tired of the war. Fearing such an event, Con-
gress immediately published an address, wherein they fully
exposed the snare prepared by the royal commissioners ;
and, at the same time, encouraged tlie patriots with the
brightest prospect of success, in the final establishment of
their liberty and ii)dei)endence. This address had the de-
sired effect. The people resolved not to be deceived. The
THE GAMESTER. 147
following ballad appeared before the royal commissioners
returned to England, in adoubled-columned sheet, adapted
to the tulie, " A late wortliy old Lion."
A NEW SONG.
West of the old Atlantic, firm Liberty stands !
Hov'ring Fame just alighted, suj)ported by bands
Of natives free born, who loud echoing sin^,
" We'll support our just rights 'gainst tyrannic
kings ! "
Caral-laddy — caral-laddy, etc.
George the Third she disowns and his proud lordly .
cheats.
His murdering legions and half-famish'd fleets ;
To the Jerseys sneak'd off, with fear quite dismay'd,
Although they much boasted, that fighting's their
trade.
Our just rights to assert, hath the Congress oft tried,
Whose wisdom and strength our opponents deride.
And still madly in rage their Aveak thunders are
harl'd.
To biing us on our knees and to bully the world.
Too haughty to yield, yet too weak to withstand.
They skulk to their ships and leave us the firm
land ;
In dread lest they share what Jack Burgoyne did
feel.
And the game be quite lost, as poor Jack had lost
deal
148 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Jack, thinking of cribbage, all fours, or of put.
With a dexterous hand, he did shuffle and cut,
And when likely to lose — like a sharper they say —
Did attempt to renege — I mean, run away.
But watch'd so closely, he could not j^lay booty.
Yet to cheat he fain would, for George — 'twas his
duty ;
A great bet depending on that single game ;
Dominion and honor — destruction and shame.
Examin'd with care his most critical hand.
At a loss, if better to beg or to stand,
His tricks reckon'd up ; for all sharpers can jangle ;
Then kick'd up a dust, for his favorite wrangle.
■'Twas diamond cut diamond, spades were of no use.
But to dig up the way for surrender and truce ;
For he dreaded the hand that dealt out such
thumps ;
As the hearts wete run out, and clubs Avere then
trumps.
Thus he met with the rubbers, as the game it turn'd
out.
Poor Jack, although beat, made a damnable rout,
Complain'd he was cheated,' and pompously talks ;
Quit the game with a curse, while he rubb'd out
the chalks.
But see a cloud burst, and a seraph appears.
Loud trumpeting peace, while in blood to their ears,
THE GAMESTER. 149
With bulls and with pardons for us on submission ;
To bull us, and gull us, by their sham commission.
The haughty great George then to peace is now
prone ;
A bully when matched soon can alter his tone ;
'Tis the act of a Briton to bluster and threaten ;
Hangs his tail like a spaniel, when handsomely
beaten.
Charge your glasses lip high, to brave Washington
sing.
To tlie union so glorious the whole world shall ring ;
May their councils in wisdom and valor unite,
And the men^ ne'er be wrong, who yet so far are
right.
The great Doctor Franklin the next glass must
claim,
Whose electrical rod strikes terror and shame ;
Like Moses, wiio caused Pharaoh's heart-strings to
grumble,
Shock'd George on his throne, his magicians made
humble.
To Gates and to Arnold, with bumpers we'll join.
And to all our brave troops who took gambling
Burgoyne.
May their luck still increase, as they've turn'd up
one Jack,
To cut and turn up all the knaves in the pack.^
150 SONGS AND BALLADS.
1 Complained he ivas cheated, and pompously talks.
" Though the articles of convention were fully adjusted,
signed and exchanged, by those appointed for the purpose,
and the hour stipulated by the parties for Burgoyne to affix
his signature, he addressed a note to General Gates, pur-
porting that he should recede from the treaty, on the
ground that a part of the American force had been de-
tached from the army during the negotiation ; and with
a bold effrontery, required, that he might be permitted to
send two officers to the American camp to ascertain the
fact. This dishonorable conduct raised the ire of General
Gates, who sent Lieutenant-colonel Wilkinson to insist
that hostilities would recommence if the treaty was not
immediately ratified. This produced the desired effect."
Thachers Journal.
"^ A7id the men. The Continental Congress, in all their
acts, were unanimously supported by the patriots.
3 To cut and turn up all the knaves in the pack. The
Earl of Dartmouth asked an American in London, of how
many members the Congress consisted ? To which the
reply was " fifty-two." " Why, that is the number of
cards in a pack," said his lordship, " pray how many knaves
are there ? " " Not one," returned the republican, " please
to recollect that knaves are court cards."
THE REBELS.
Capt. Smyth, the author of this bold and loyal song, was
an officer in Simcoe's Queen's Rangers. Many of his com-
positions were published during the war. The present one
first appeared in the Pennsylvania Ledger, as "anew song,
to the old tune of Black Joke," and subsequently in a ballad
sheet, under its present title.
THE REBELS
Ye brave, honest subjects, who dare to be loyal,
And have stood the brunt of every trial,
Of hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns :
THE REBELS. 151
Come listen awhile, and I'll sing you a song ;
I'll show you, those Yankees are all in the wrong.
Who, with blustering look and most awkward gait,
'Gainst their lawful sovereign dare for to prate,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
The arch-rebels, barefooted tatterdemalions.
In baseness exceed all other rebellions.
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
To rend the empire, the most infamous lies.
Their mock-patriot Congress, do always devise ;
Independence, like the first of rebels, they claim,
But their plots will be damn'd in the annals of
fame,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
Forgetting the mercies of Great Britain's king,
Who saved their forefathers' necks from the string ;
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
They renounce allegiance and take up their arms.
Assemble together like hornets in swarms.
So dirty their backs, and so wretchd their show,
That carrion-crow follows wherever they go.
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
With loud peals of laughter, your sides, sirs, would
crack,
To see General Convict and Colonel Shoe-black,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
See cobblers and quacks, rebel priests and the like.
Pettifoggers and barbers, with sword and with pike,
152 SONGS AND BALLADS.
All strutting, the standard of Satan beside,
And honest names using, their black deeds to hide,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
This perjured banditti, now ruin this land.
And o'er its poor people claim lawless command.
With their hunting- shirts, and rifle-guns.
Their pasteboard dollars, prove a common curse.
They don't chink like silver and gold in our purse ;
With nothing their leaders have i)aid their debts off,
Their honor's, dishonor, and justice they scoff,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
For one lawful ruler, many tyrants we've got.
Who force young and old to their wars, to be shot,
With their hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
Our good king, God speed him ! never used men so,
We then could speak, act, and like freemen could go ;
But committees enslave us, our Liberty's gone.
Our trade and church murder'd; our country's
undone,
By hunting-shirts, and rifle-guns.
Come take up your glasses, each true loyal heart.
And may every rebel meet his due desert.
With his hunting-shirt, and rifle-gun.
May Congress, Conventions, those damn'd in-
quisitions.
Be fed with hot sulphur, from Lucifer's kitchens.
May commerce and peace again be restored.
And Americans own their true sovereign lord.
OLD ENGLAND. 153
Then oblivion to shirts, and rifle-guns.^
God save the King.
1 Then oblivion to shirts, and rifle-guns. The uniforms
and equipments of the Continental soldiers were the sub-
ject of much contempt and irony on the part of the loyalists.
The companies of riflemen, from the western mountains,
were generally dressed in hunting-shirts and trowsers, of
fawn color or brown, adorned with a fringe.
" These from the cerulean mountains hurried down ;
* * * * ^ * *
Beneath their aim the hostile leaders fall,
For death rides swift th' unseen, unerring ball.
Humphrey's Washington.
OLD ENGLAND.
1778.
This satirical song, entitled, " The Halcyon Days of Old
England, or the wisdom of administration demonstrated ;
adapted to the tune of ' Ye Medley of Mortals,' " was written
in England, and publislied in the London Evening Post,
during the early part of the year seventeen hundred and
seventy-eight. It was soon copied into the papers friendly
to the cause of Liberty, throughout the American colonies,
and became a great favorite, Ijotli in the camp, and by the
firesides of the patriots.
THE HALCYON DAYS OF OLD ENGLAND.i
Give ear to my song, I'll not tell you a story ;
This is the bright era of Old England's glory !
And though some may think us in pitiful plight,
I'll swear they're mistaken, for matters go right !
Sing tantararara, wise all, wise all,
Sing tantararara, wise all.
154 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Let us laugh at the cavils of weak, silly elves !
Our statesmen are wise men ! they say so themselves,
And tho' little mortals may hear it with wonder,
'Tis consummate wisdom, that causes each blunder !
They are now engaged in a glorious war !
It began about tea, about feathers and tar ; ^
With spirit they push what they've planned with
sense !
Forty-millions they've spent, for a tax of three
pence.
The debts of the nation do grieve them so sore,
To lighten our burden, they load us the more !
They aim at th' American's cash, my dear honey !
Yet beggar this kingdom, and send them the money.
What honors we're gaining by taking their forts.
Destroying bateaux, and blocking up ports !
Burgoyne would have work'd 'em but for a mishap,
By Gates and one Arnold, he's caught in a trap !
But Howe was more cautious and prudent by far,
He sail'd with his fleet up the great Delaware ;
All summer he struggled and strove to undo 'em.
But the plague of it was, he could not get to them.
Oh ! think us not cruel, because our allies
Are savagely scalping men, women and boys !
Maternal affection to this step doth move us !
The more they are scalped, the more they will love
us!
OLD ENGLAND. 155
Some folks are uneasy, and make a great pother
I'or the loss of one army, and half of another ;
But, sirs, next campaign by ten thousands we'll
slay 'em.
If we can find soldiers, and money to pay 'em.
I've sung you a song, now I'll give you a prayer;
May peace soon succeed to this horrible war !
Again may we live \Aith our brethren in concord.
And the authors of mischief all hang on a strong cord.
Sing tantai-arara, wise all, wise all.
Sing tantararara, wise all.
1 The Halcyon days of Old England. This ballad has
been attributed to Arthur Lee, wlio, at the time of its ap-
pearance in Eng-hmd, was in France.
2 About feathers and tar. The discipline of tar and
feathers, that the American troops inflicted upon such
disaffected persons as made themselves obnoxious to the
cause of liberty, was somewhat new to the royal mind, and
in England was k)oked upon as a most " barbaious feature
in warfare." It was generally applied to the obstinate and
refractory loyalists, for some petty remark or unjiatriotic
demonstration. The riflemen from the southern colonies
were celebrated for this peculiar discijiline, and the faintest
vestige of toryism, was sufficient to warrant its application,
to any one who should happen to fall in their way. A body
of these men were passing through one of the quiet villages
in Connecticut, on their march to join Washington's army,
when they met a notorious loyalist, who, among other " tine
names called them damned reljels and sons of sedition."
They soon took him and compelled him to walk, in advance
of the company, to a wood near the town of Litchfield, a
distance of over twenty miles, carrying one of his oum
geese all the way in his hands. On their arrival there,
they applied the tar. and made him pluck the goose, after
which they bestowed the feathers on him, drummed him
out of the company, and obliged him to kneel and thank
them for their lenity. Another instance was the case of a
loyal shoemaker of New York, who having " exjjressed a
156 SONGS AND BALLADS.
desire in public company, and in the most insolent manner "
that General Gage, then in Boston, would visit that town,
to cut the throats of the " rebellious whigs, and burn their
houses, declaring he would himself assist in it," was im-
mediately taken by the people and carried to the wharf,
where he was stripped, and nicely fitted with a suit of
" American thickset with white trimmings," and after
giving him tliree rounds of applause, he was permitted to
retire, "which he did witli some precipitation," at the same
time muttering ten thousand anathemas against General
Gage, as the author of his disgrace.
BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY.
1778.
This song was published in the Royal Gazette, at New
York, with the accompanying remarks: "Observing in a
late paper a song written for tiie British Light Infantry,!
introduced with a hint that they had not liitlierto received
their merited tribute from the muses, I take the liberty of
making them the tender of a second musical offering,
wiiich, though never yet published, has been frequently
sung and re-echoed, in loyal comi)anies, for many months
past in this city; nor will the offering, perhaps, be the less
welcome, for being presented in a plain, unoi*namented
dress, and by the hand of a loyal American refngee." The
song was adapted to the tune, " Black Sloven."
BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY.
For battle prepared in their country's just cause,
Their king to avenge and support all his laws ;
As fierce as a tiger, as swift as the roe,
The British Light Infantry rush on their foe.
Though rebels unnumber'd oppose their career,
Their hearts are undaunted ; they're strangers to
fear ;
THE OLD MAN'S SONG. 157
No obstacles hinder ; resistless they go,
Ard death and destruction attend every blow.
'Cross the deep-gullied vale, up the mountain's
steep side,
Through the rough foaming river's impetuous tide^
O'er the fortified redoubt, close Avedged in array.
Regardless of safety they follow their prey.
The alarm of the drum and the cannon's loud roar ;
The musket's quick flash, but inflames them the more.
No dangers appal, for they fear no control,
But glory and conquest inspires every soul.
Whenever their foe stands arrang'd in their sight,
With ardor impatient they pant for the fight ;
Rout, havoc, confusion they spread through the field.
And rebellion and treason are forced to yield.
1 British Light Infantry. Tlie song mentioned here was
published in a Philadelphia paper, but is unlit for present
publication.
THE OLD MAN'S SONG.
1778.
The American women, during the revolution, excelled
their nature. Europe heard, with wonder and regret, of
their constancy and devotion to the cause of liberty ; and
their spirit and firmness has been the theme of many ex-
cellent lyrics, botli in this country, and the old world. We
have several French ballads, commemorating their pa-
triotism.
158 SONGS AND BALLADS.
PUBLIC SPIRIT OF THE WOMEN.
Though age at my elbow has taken his stand,
And Time has stretch'd o'er me his wrinkUng hand ;
Our patriot fair like a charm can inspire,
In tlireescore-and-ten, twenty's spirit and fire.
Boy, fill me a bumper ! as long as I live.
The patriot fair for my toast must I give ;
Here's a health to the sex of every degree.
Where sweetness and beauty with firmness agree.
No more will I b^ibble of times that are past,
My wish is, the present forever may last ;
Already I see sulky George in despair.
Should he vanquish the men, to vanquish the fair.^
Of Greeks and of Romans enough has been said,
To Codrus and Brutus full tribute been paid ;
O'er musty old heroes no longer I'll dream.
Living beauty and virtue enliven my theme.
Could time be roll'd backv^ard, and age become
young.
My heart swell with ardor, my arm be new strung ;
Under Washington's banner I'd cheerfully fight,
Where the smiles of the fair with glory unite.
Fill a bumper again, boy, and let it go round.
For the waters of youth in claret are found ;
The younkers shall know, I've the courage to dare
Drink as deep as the best to the patriot fair.
BATTLE OF THE KEGS. 159
1 To vanquish the fair. " If they had not been rebels,'*
sa'd Burke, '" I could liave been lavisJi in praising women »
who, reduced by the ruin of civil discord to the most horrid
situations of distress and poverty, had generosity and
public spirit to strip the blankets, in the freezing season,
from themselves and their infants, to send to the camp,
and preserve that army which had gone out to fight for
their liberty. And shall Britons overlook such virtue, and
will they persist in oppressing it? Shall we give them no
alternative but unconditional submission ? A three years'
war has not terrified them, distressed as they are, from
tlieir great purpose. Let us try the power of lenity over
those generous bosoms."
The following verses are taken from a manuscript diary,
kept during the revolution, now in possession of the editor.
" God bless our gentle mothers, dear,
Who cheer us on our way !
God bless our loving sisters, dear.
Who with them at home stay.
We'll fight for them, and die for them,
To keep them from Tory !
We'll raise our hearts in prayer for them,
Wherever we may be."
BATTLE OF THE KEGS.
1778.
Early in January, 1778, David Bushnell, the inventor of
the American Torpedo, and other submarine niachinery,
prepared a number of " infernals," as the British termed
them, and set them afloat in the Delaware River, a few-
miles above Philadelphia, in order to annoy the royal ship-
ping, which atthattimelay off that place. These macliines
w^ere constructed of kegs, charged with powder, and so
arranged as to explode on coming in contact with any thing
while floating along with the tide. On their appearance,
the British seamen and troops became alarmed, and, man-
ning the shipping and wharves, discharged their small
arms and cannon at every thing they could see floating in
the river during the ebb tide. Upon this incident the
100 SONGS AND BALLADS.
following song was composed by Francis Hopkinson, one
of the happiest writers of his time. It soon became popu-
lar with Washington's army, and is mentioned by Surgeon
Thacher as follows :" Our drums and fifes afforded us a
favorite music till evening, when we were delighted with
the song composed by Mr. Hopkinson, ' Tlie Battle of the
Kegs,' sung in the best style by a number of gentlemen."
BATTLE OF THE KEGS.
Gallaxts attend, and hear a friend,
Trill forth harmonious ditty,
Strange things I'll tell, which late befell,
In Philadelphia city.
'Twas early day, as poets say.
Just when the sun was rising,
A soldier stood, on a log of wood.
And saw a thing surprising.
As in amaze he stood to gaze.
The truth can't be denied, sir,
He spied a score of kegs or more,^
Come floating down the tide, sir.
A sailor, too, in jerkin blue.
This strange appearance viewing.
First damn'd his eyes, in great surprise.
Then said, " some mischief's brewing.
*' These kegs, I'm told, the rebels hold,
Packed up like pickled herring.
And they're come down, t' attack the tovm,
In this new way of ferrying."
BATTLE OF THE KEGS. 161
The soldier flew, the sailor too,
And scared almost to death, sir.
Wore out their shoes to spread the news,
And ran till out of breath, sir.
Now up and down, throughout the town,
Most frantic scenes were acted ;
And some ran here, and others there,
Like men almost distracted.
Some fire cried, which some denied,
But said the earth had quaked ;
And girls and boys, with hideous noise.
Ran through the streets half naked.
Sir ^Yilliam,- iie, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring ;
Nor dreamed of harm, as he lay warm,
In bed with .^
Now in a fright, he starts upright,
Awak'd by such a clatter ;
He rubs his eyes, and boldly cries,
" For God's sake, what's the matter ? "
At his bedside, he then espied.
Sir Erskine at command, sir,*
Upon one foot he had one boot.
And t'other in his hand, sir.
" Arise ! arise, Sir Erskine cries.
The rebels — more's the pity —
162 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Without a boat, are all afloat,
And rang'd before the city.
" The motley crew, in vessels new,
With Satan for their guide, sir,
Packed up in bags, or wooden kegs,
Come driving down the tide, sir.
" Therefore prepare for bloody war ;
These kegs must all be routed,
Or surely we despis'd shall be,
And British courage doubted."
The royal band, now ready stand.
All ranged in dread array, sir,
W^ith stomachs stout, to see it out.
And make a bloody day, sir.
The cannons roar from shore to shore,
The small arms make a rattle ;
Since wars began, I'm sure no man
Ere saw so strange a battle.
The rebel dales, the rebel vales,
With rebel trees surrounded.
The distant woods, the hills and floods.
With rebel echoes sounded.
The fish below swam to and fro,
Attack'd from every quarter ;
Why sure, thought they, the devil's to pay,
'Mong-st folks above the water.
BATTLE OF THE KEGS. 163
The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made <
Of rebel staves and hoops,^ sir,
Could not oppose their powerful foes,
The conquering British troops, sir.
From morn till night, these men of might
Display'd amazing courage ;
And when the sun was fairly down,
Retir'd to swp their porridge.
An hundred men, with each a pen,
Or more, upon my word, sir,
It is most true would be too few.
Their valor to record, sir.
Such feats did they perform that day.
Against tliose wicked kegs, sir,
That years to come, if they get home.
They'll make their boasts and brags, sir.
1 He spied a score of 'kegs or more. The following prose
accounts of this affair were published in the Pennsylvania
Ledger, a loyal print. " The town of Philadelphia, not
being as fully acquainted with the subject of the following
letter taken from a Burlington paper, as the ingenious
author would have his readers believe them to be, it may
be necessary to relate them the fact. At the time it hap-
pened, it was so trifling as not to be thouglit worthy of
notice in this paper, and we do not doubt but our readers
will allow this letter- writer full credit for the fertility of
his invention. The case was that on the fifth of January
last (1778), a barrel of an odd appearance came floating
down the Delaware, opposite the town, and attracted the
attention of some boys, who went in pursuit of it, and had
scarcely got possession of it, when it blew up, and either
killed or injured one or more of them. So far the matter
was serious, and the fellow w^io invented the mischief
164 SONGS AND BALLxVDS.
may quit his conscience of the murder or injury done the
lads, as well as he can. Some days after a few others of
much the same appearance, and some in the form of buoys,
came floating in like manner, and a few guns were, we be-
lieve, fired at them from some of the transports lying along
the wharves. Other than this no notice was taken of
them, except, indeed, by our author, whose imagination,
perhaps as fertile as his invention, realized to himself as a
frenzy of his enthusiasm the matters lie has set forth."
" Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, Jan. 9, 1778. — The
city has been lately entertained with a most astonishing
instance of the activity, bravery, and military skill of the
royal navy of Great Britain. Tlie affair is somewhat par-
ticular and deserves your notice. Some time last week,
two boys observed a keg of singular construction, float-
ing in the river opposite to the city. They got into a small
boat, and in attempting to obtain the keg. it burst with a
great explosion, and blew up the unfortunate boys. On
Monday last, several kegs of a like construction made their
appearance. An alarm was immediately spread through
the city. Various reports prevailed, filling the city and
royal troops with consternation. Some reported that
these kegs were filled with armed rebels, who were to
issue forth in the dead of the night, as did the Grecians of
old from their wooden horse at the siege of Troy, and take
the city by surprise, asserting that thej^ had seen the
points of their bayonets through the bung-holes of the
kegs. Others said they were charged with the most invet-
erate combustibles, to be kindled by secret machinery,
and setting the whole Delaware in flames, were to con-
sume all the shipping in the harbor ; whilst others asserted
they were constructed by art magic, would, of themselves,
ascend the wharves in the night-time, and roll all flaming
through the streets of the city, destroying every thing in
their way. Be this as it may, certain it is that the ship-
ping in the harbor, and all the wharves in the city, were
fully manned. The battle began, and it was surprising to
behold the incessant blaze that was kept up against the
enemy, the kegs. Both officers and men exhibited the
most unparalleled skill and bravery on the occasion, whilst
the citizens stood as solemn witnesses of their prowess.
From the Roebuck, and other ships of war, whole broad-
sides were poured itito the Delaware. In short, not a
wandering chip, stick, or drift log, but felt the vigor of
the British arms. The action began about sunrise, and
BATTLE OF THE KEGS. 165
would have been completed with great success by noon,
h'ld not an old market-woman, coming down the river
with provisions, unfortunately let a small keg of butter
fall overboard, which, as it was then ebb tide, floated down
to the scene of action. At the sight of this unexpected re-
inforcement of the enemy, the battle was renewed witli
fresh fury, and the firing was incessant till the evening
closed the affair. The kegs were either totally demolished,
or obliged to fly, as none of them have shown tlieir heads
since. It is said tliat his Excellency Lord Howe lias de-
spatclied a swift-sailing packet, with an account of this
victory, to the court at London. In a word, Monday, the
fifth of January, seventeen Ivundred and seventy-eight,
must ever be distinguished in history for the memorable
battle of the kegs."
2 Sir William, he, snug as a flea. Sir William Howe com-
manded the British armv, which entered Philadelphia on
the 27th of September, 1777.
^ III bed nnth . The wife of Joshua Loring. a
refugee from Boston, made commissar}- of prisoners by
General Howe. " The consummate cruelties practised on
the American prisoners under his administration, almost
exceed the ordinary powers of human invention. The
conduct of the Turks, in putting all prisoners to death, is
certainly much more rational and humane tnan that of the
British army for tiie first three years of tlie American
war. or till after the capture of Burgoyne."
^ Sir Erskine at cominand. Sir William Erskine, a Gen-
eral in the British army. He attended the expedition
against Danbury, Connecticut, in 1777.
5 Of rebel staves and hoops. David Bushnell was a native
of Saybrook, Connecticut. The particulars of his early
life are unknown. Early in the autumn of 1776, he sub-
mitted to General Wasiiington a machine invented by
himself, for the destruction of the British shipping then
at anchor in the New York harbor. The following de-
scription of the machine, and accounts of the experiments
tried with it, are taken from the journal of Surgeon
Thacher. " The internal appearance of the torpedo, bears
some resemblance to two upper tortoise shells, of equal
size, placed in contact, leaving at that part which repre-
sents the head of the animal, a flue or opening, sufficiently
capacious to contain the operator, and air to support him
thirty minutes. At the bottom is placed a quantity of
lead for ballast. The operator sits upright, and holds an
l(jG SONGS AND BALLADS.
oar for rowing forward or backward, and is furnished with
a rudder. A valve at the bottom admits the water for the
purpose of descending, and two brass forcing pumps serve
to eject the water, when necessary for ascending. At-
tached to the after part of this vessel is a place above the
rudder for carrying a large powder magazine. This is
made of two hollow pieces of oak timber, large enough
to contain one hundred and fifty pounds of powder, and is
secured to the object intended to be destroyed by a screw
turned by the operator. Within tliis magazine is an appa-
ratus, constructed to run any proposed length of time
under twelve hours. On running out. it unpinions a lock,
which gives the fire to tlie powder. This apparatus is set
in motion by casting off the magazine from the operative
vessel . "
Bushnell was encouraged in his plan, and Major-General
Putnam, being decidedly of the opinion that his operations
might be attended with tlie desired success, resolved to be
himself a spectator of the experiment. It was determined
to make an attempt on the sliip Eagle, on which Admiral
Lord Howe commanded. " General Putnim placed him-
self on the wl)arf to witness the result. Mr. Bushnell had
instructed his brother in the management of the torpedo
.vith perfect dexterity, but, being taken sick, a sergeant^
of a Connecticut regiment was selected for the business.
Having sucli instructions as time would allow, late at
night, he went under the sliip, and attempted to fix the
wooden screw into her bottom, but struck a bar of iron,
which passes from the rudder-hinge, and is spiked under
tlie ship's quarter. Had he moved a few inches, there is
no doubt he would have found wood where he might have
fixed the screw, but not being well skilled in tlie manage-
ment of the vessel, in attempting to move to another place,
lie lost the ship. After seeking her in vain some time, he
rowed off, and rose to the surface of the water, but found
daylight had advanced so far, that he dare not renew the
attempt. In liis return from the ship to New York, he
passed near Governor's Island, and thought he was discov-
ered by the enemy. Being in haste to avoid tlie danger
* This was Sergeant Ezra Lee, afterwards a Captain in the Conti-
nental service. He ever had the confidence and esteem of Washing-
ton, and fought with him at Trenton and Monmouth. At Brandywine
the hilt of his sword was shot away, and his hat and coat pierced with
the enemy's balls. On the return of peace, he retired to his farm, and
tilled theland until a short time V)efore his death. He died at Lyme,
Connecticut, on the twenty-ninth of Js'ovember, 1821, aged 73.
THE EPILOGUE. 167
he feared, he cast off the magazine, as he thought it re-
t:,r(led his progress, and in a short time it blew up with
great violence, leaving the enemy to conjecture whether
the stupendous noise produced by a bomb, a meteor, a
water-spout, or an earthquake. Several other attempts
were made in Hudson's River, but no one succeeded."
"In the year 1777, Mr. Bushnell made an attempt from
a wliale boat against the Cerberus frigate, by drawing a
machine against lier side by means of a line. TJiis ma-
chine was different from the torjjedo. It was constructed
with wheels, furnished with irons, sharpened at the end
and projecting about an inch, in order to strike the sides
of the vessel when hauling it up, thereby setting the
wheels in motion, wl)ich in five minutes caused the ex-
plosion. Commodore Simmons, being on board the Cer-
berus, wrote an official letter to Sir Peter Parker, describ-
ing the disaster occasioned by Buslinell's attempt on his
ship. ' Being at anchor to the westward of New London
with a schooner he had taken, discovered about eleven
o'clock at night, a line towing astern from tlie bows. He
believed that some person had veeaed away by it, and im-
mediately began to haul in. A sailor belonging to the
scliooner. taking it for a fishing-line, laid hold of it, and
drew it it about fifteen fatlioms. At the end of the rope
a macliine was fastened, too heavj^ for one man to pull
up. and other persons of the schooner coming to his assist-
ance, drew it on deck. While they were examining it. it
exploded, blew the vessel to pieces, and set her on fire.
Three men were killed, and a fourth blown into the water.
On examining round the ship after this occurrence, an-
other line was discovered, which Commodore Simmons
ordered to be instantly cut away, for fear of hauling up
another of the infernals.'"
THE EPILOGUE.
1778.
The ministerial press in America embraced every oppor-
tunity to ridicule the motives of the most prominent pa-
triots of the Revolution, and very often exceeded the
bounds of truth, or even probability in their assertions.
The following remarks and stanzas were published in a
ballad sheet, and posted in the streets of New York and
168 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Philadelphia, during the month of October 1778, and on
tiie twenty -fourth of the same month they appeared in the
Royal Gazette. " There was lately exhibited in the city
of Philadelphia, an admirable farce called Independence.
Who the author was is not positively known, but some are
of the opinion that it is the work of a certain quack doctor
called Franklin. Others assert that it is the joint pro-
duction of the strolling company by whom it was acted : it
is, however, generally allowed, that one Adams gave the
first hint, contrived the plot and cast the parts. It ap-
peared in the exhibition so tragi-comical, that the audience
were at a loss whether to laugh or cry. They were, how-
ever, well pleased with the catastrophe, and joined heartily
in tiie following chorus. As the renowned Voltaire some-
where relates, that a song was the cause of the French ref-
ormation, the excellent actor wiio i)erf()rmed the part of
the President took upon himself the plain song." The
whole production has been attributed to James Rivington,
*' the lying hector of the Royal Gazette," but the only evi-
dence we have to sustain this supposition, is that it was
published in his paper, which is certainly very slight.
THE EPILOGUE.i
Our farce is now finish'd, your sport's at an end,
But ere you depart, let the voice of a friend
By way of a chorus, the evening crown
With a song to the tune of a hey derry down,
Derry down, doAvn, hey derry down.
Old Shakspeare, a poet, who should not be spit on,
Altho' he was born in the island called Britain,
Hath said that mankind are all players at best,
A truth we'll admit of, for sake of the jest.
On this puny stage we've strutted our hour.
And have acted our parts to the best of our power ;
That the farce hath concluded not perfectly well.
Was surely the fault of the devil in hell.
THE EPILOGUE. 1G9
This devil, you know, out of spleen to the church,
Will oftentimes leave his best friends in the lurch,
And turn them adrift in the midst of their joy ;
'Tis a difficult matter to cheat the Old Boy.
Since this is the case, we must e'en make the best
Of a game that is lost ; let us turn it to jest ;
We'll smile, nay, we'll laugh, we'll carouse and we'll
sing.
And cheerfully drink life and health to the khig.
Let Washington now from his mountains descend.
Who knows but in George he may still find a friend ;
A Briton, altho' he loves bottle and Avench,
Is an honester fellow than parle a^ous French.
Our great Independence we give to the wind.
And pray that Great Britain may once more be kind.
In this jovial song all hostility ends.
And Britons and we will forever l)e friends.
Boys fill me a bumper ! now join in tlie chorus !
There is happiness still in the prospect before us.
In this sparkling glass, all hostility ends.
And Britons and we will forever be friends.
Good night ! my good people, retire to your houses.
Fair ladies, I beg you, convince your dear spouses
That Britons and we are united in bliss.
And ratify all with a conjugal kiss.
Once more, here's a health to the king and queen !
Confusion to him, who in rancor and spleen,
170 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Refuses to drink Avith an English friend,
Immutable amity to the world's end.
'^The Epilogue. At the time the foregoing was written,
the British held possession of Philadelphia, and the Con-
gress held its session at Yonkers, in Virginia. After the
evacuation of the city by Howe's army, June 18, 1778,
the Congress resumed its sittings there.
TO WASHINGTON.
FROM THE BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY.
Great Washingtox, thou mighty son of Mars,
Thou thund'ring hero of the rebel wars !
Accept our thanks for all thy favors past ;
Our special thanks await thee for the last.
Thy proclamation, timely to command
The cattle to be fatten'd round the land.
Bespeaks thy generosity, and shows
A charity that reaches to thy foes !
And was this order issued for our sakes,
To treat us with roast beef and savory steaks ?
Or was it for thy rebel train intended ?
Give 'em the hides, and let their shoes be mended ;
Tho' shoes are what they seldom wear of late ;
'Twould load their nimble feet with too much weight !
And for the beef — there needs no puffs about it ;
In short, they must content themselves without it.
AFFAIR OF HONOR. 171
We, to reward, you for your care and pains,
Will visit soon your crowded stalls and plains ;
And for your pamper'd cattle write, at large,
With bloody bayonets, a full discharge.
We know that we light bobs are tough and hardy,
And at a push you'll never find us tardy.
We have a stomach both for beef and battle ;
So, honest whigs, once more, feed well your cattle.
Obey your chief's command, and then, 'tis plain.
We cannot want for beef the next campaign !
And if we want for fighting, be it known,
The fault, good neighbors, shall be your own !
AFFAIR OF HONOR.
1778.
The author of this humorous ballad is unknown. It was
written at Charleston, South Carolina, a sliort time after
the event it commemorates, and published in the ministerial
issues and broadsides, as "an authentic account of the
affair of honor between General Robert Howe ^ and Lieu-
tenant-Governor Christopher Gadsden,- and too good a
story to be told in simple prose."
AFFAIR OF HONOR.
It was on Mr. Peroy's land,
At squire Rugeley's corner.
Great H. and G. met sword in hand,
Upon a point of honor.
172 SONGS AND BALLADS.
G. went before with Colonel E.,
Together in a carriage ;
On horseback followed H. and P.,
As if to steal a marriage.
On chosen ground they now alight,
For battle duly harness'd,
A shady place and out of sight,
It show'd they were in earnest.
They met, and in the usual way
With hat in hand saluted.
Which was, no doubt, to show how they
Like gentlemen disputed.
And then they both together made
This honest declaration.
That they came there, by honor led,
But not by inclination.
That if they fought 'twas not because
Of rancor, spite or passion.
But only to obey the laws
Of custom and the fashion.
The pistols then, before their eyes,
Were fairly prim'd and loaded !
H. wished, and so did G. likewise,
The custom was exploded !
But as they now had gone so far
In such a bloody business.
AFFAIR OF HONOR. 173
For action straight they both prepare
With — mutual forgiveness.
But lest their courage should exceed
The bounds of moderation,
Between the seconds 'twas agreed
To fix them each a station.
The distance stepp'd by Colonel P.'
Was only eight short paces ;
" Now, gentlemen," says Colonel E.,*
" Be sure to keep your places."
Quoth H. to G.— " Sir, please to fire ! "
Quoth G. — " No, pray begin, sir ; "
And truly one must needs admire
The temper they were in, sir.
" We'll fire both at once," said he,
And so they both presented ;
No answer was returned by G.,
But silence, sir, consented.
They paus'd awhile, these gallant foes.
By turns politely grinning,
Till after many cons and pros,
H. made a brisk beginning.
He missed his mark, but not his aim,
The shot was well directed ;
It sav'd them both from hurt and shame,
What more could be expected ?
174 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Then G. to show he meant no harm,
But hated jars and jangles,
His pistol fired across his arm,
From H. almost at angles.
H. now was called upon by G.,
To fire another shot, sir ;
He smiled, and " After this," quoth he,
" No, truly, I cannot, sir."
Such honor did they both display,
They highly were commended ;
And thus in short, this gallant fray
Without mischance was ended.
No fresh dispute, we may suppose,
Will e'er by them be started,
For now the chiefs, no longer foes.
Shook hands, and so they parted.
1 General Robert Howe was liorn at Brunswick, North
Carolina, in 1734, The exact date of his birth is unknown.
He was one of the earliest and boldest patriots of the
South. For his gallantry during the early part of the Rev-
olution, Congress appointed him a Brigadier-General, and
ordered him to Virginia. In 1778 he was assigned to the
command of the southern troops. After tlie unsuccessful
expedition against Florida andtlie defeat at Savannali, his
conduct was severely, though unjustly, censured. Among
others, Gadsden declaimed against liim, and refusing to re-
tract, a duel ensued, in which the only injury done was a
slight scratch made upon Gadsden's cheek by the ball from
Howe's weapon.
2 Christopher Gadsden was a native of Charleston, South
Carolina, wliere he was born in 1724. He was a member of
the Congress of 1765. and also of that which met in 1774.
After the capitulation of Charleston, 1780, Gadsden was
EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND. 175
sent to St. Augustine, by order of Cornwallis, and there
confined in the castle nearly a year. In later life he was
chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and in 1783 elected Governor,
but declined on account of his age. He died in 1805.
^Colonel P., afterwards General Charles Cotesworth
Pinckney, was Howe's second in this affair.
* Colonel E. Bernard Elliot was Gadsden's second.
YANKEE DOODLE'S EXPEDITION TO
RHODE ISLAND.
1778.
This humorous ballad commemorates the attempt made
upon Rhode Island, by the combined forces of Count D'Es-
taing, with the French fleet, and General Sullivan, in com-
mand of the American forces, during the month of August,
1778.
EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND.
From Lewis, Monsieur Gerard came/
To Congress in this town, sir,
They bow'cl to him, and he to them,
And then they all sat down, sir.
Begar, said Monsieur, one grand coup,
You shall bientot l)ehold, sir ;
This w^as believ'd as gospel true,
And Jonathan felt bold, sir.
So Yankee Doodle did forget
The sound of British drum, sir,
How oft it made him quake and sweat,
In spite of Yankee rum, sir.
He took his wallet on his back.
His rifle on his shoulder,
170 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And veow'd Rhode Island to attack,
Before he was much older.
In dread array their tatter'd crew,
Advanc'd with colors spread, sir,
Their fifes played Yankee doodle, doo.
King Hancock at their head, sir.^
What numbers bravely cross'd the seas,
I cannot well determine,
A swarm of rebels and of fleas,
And every other vermin.
Their mighty hearts might shrink they tho't,
For all flesh only grass is,
A plenteous store they therefore brought.
Of whiskey and molasses.
They swore they'd make bold Pigot squeak,^
So did their good ally, sir.
And take iiim pris'ner in a week,
But that was all my eye, sir.
As Jonathan so much desir'd
To shine in martial story,
D'Estaing with politesse retir'd,*
To leave him all the glory.
He left him what was better yet.
At least it was more use, sir.
He left him for a quick retreat,
A very good excuse, sir.
EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND. I77
To stay, unless he rul'd the sea,
He thought would not be right, sir.
And Continental troops, said he.
On islands should not fight, sir.
Another cause with these combin'd.
To throw him in the dumps, sir,
For Clinton's name alarmed his mind,^
And made him stir his stumps, sir.
'^Monsieur Gerard came. M. Gerard was tlie first am-
bassador from any nation to the United States. Tiie follow-
ing minute account of his reception by the Continental
Congress, at Philadelphia, appeared in the papers of that
period. " On Thursday, the sixth of August, 1778. the day
appointed b}^ the Congress for the reception of the minister,
Ricliard Henry Lee, delegate from Virginia, and Samuel
Adams, delegate from Massachusetts Bay, waited upon his
Excellency, in a coach and six, provided by Congress, at
his house. In a few minutes, the minister and the two
delegates entered tlie coach, Mr. Lee placing liimself at the
minister's left hand on the hack seat ; Mr. Adams occupy-
ing the front seat. The minister's chariot being behind re-
ceived his secretary. On the arrival of the carriages at the
State House, the two members of Congress, placing them-
selves at the minister's left hand, a little before one o'clock,
introduced him to his chair in the Congress Chamber ; the
President and Congress sitting. The chair M'as placed
fronting the President. Tlie minister being seated, he gave
his credentials into the hands of his secretary, who ad-
vanced and delivered them to the President. The secretary
of Congress then read and translated them, after which Mr.
Lee announced the minister to the President and Congress.
At this time, the President, the Congress, and the minister
rose together. He bowed to the President and Congress,
and the}^ bowed to him, whereupon the whole seated them-
selves. In a moment, the minister rose and made a speech
to the Congress, they sitting. The speech being finished,
the minister sat down, and giving a copy of his speech to
his secretary, he presented it to the President. Tlie Presi-
dent and Congress then rose, and the President pronounced
the answer to the speech, the minister standing. The an-
178 SONGS AND BALLADS.
swer being ended, the whole were again seated, and the
President giving a copy of the answer to the secretary of
Congress, lie presented it to the minister. The President,
the Congress, and the minister then rose together. Tlie
minister bowed to the President, who returned the salute,
and tlien to the Congress, who also bowed in return. And
the minister having again bowed to the President, and re-
ceived his bow, he withdrew, and was attended home in
the same manner in which he had been conducted to the
audience."
" Tims has a new and noble sight been exhibited in this
new world. The representatives of the United States of
America, solemnly giving public audience to a minister
plenipotentiary from the most powerful prince in Europe.
Four years ago sucli an event, at so near a day, was not in
the view even of imagination. But it istlie Almighty who
raiseth up. He hath stationed America among the powers
of the earth, and clothed her in robes of sovereignty."
Rivington, in the Royal Gazette of the eleventh of No-
vember, 1778, says : " A correspondent observes, tliat after
all the pageantry and parade exhibited last summer at
Pliiladelphia, with Monsieur Gerard, he is assured by re-
<?ent accounts from thence, tliat, instead of an ambassador
from the court of Versailles, he proves in reality nothing
more than an agent from the Fermiers Generaux for the
collection of an immense heavy debt, due to them from the
rebel chiefs." Rivington concludes with the remark that
Gerard is "a driver, a mere tobncco-droger he.'"
2 King Hancock at their head. John Hancock took the
oommand of the second line of Massachusetts militia, in
tliis movement. The advance of the American army was
commanded by Colonel Livingston, the right wing by Gen-
eral Greene, and the left by the Marquis de la Fayette.
3 Bold Pigot. Sir Robert Pigot commanded the British
forces in Rhode Island.
* D'Estaing ivitli politesse r-etird. Count D'Estaing was
censured very severely for the conduct of the French fleet
in this expedition. On the day after he arrived at New-
port, Lord Howe, w- ith the British fleet, came in sight. D'-
Estaing went out to meet him, and after a sharp conflict,
with some injury to the shipping of both sides, they sepa-
rated. The British fleet went to New York, and the Fiench
returned to Newport. D'Estaing thought it necessar}^ to go
to Boston with his fleet to repair, and two days after set
.sail, notwithstanding tlie earnest protestations of the offi-
cers of the American land forces, who had been dispatched
A FABLE. 179
from the main army to assist in the expedition. Under
these circumstances, the militia, who had volunteered with
great eagerness to co-operate with their new allies, went
liome disgusted and disheartened, and General Sullivan
ordered a retreat. So the expedition failed.
^ Clintoirs name alarmed his mind. Sir Henr}" Clinton
did not arrive in the neighborhood of Rhode Island until
some time after D'Estaing had left it.
This song was written in Philadelphia, but the author is
unknown. Rivington published it in the Royal Gazette,
at New York, on the third of October, 1778, without com-
ment. It also appeared in the English newspapers, during
the early part of the year following.
A FABLE.
1778.
Rivington first published this production, in the Royal
Gazette, as "A fable addressed to the Americans, upon
their treaty with France." It afterwards appeared as " A
fable, in the way of a song, for the rebels," over the signa-
ture of D.M.i The last version differs slightly from the
original.
A FABLE.
Re,joice, Americans, rejoice !
Praise ye the Lord with heart and voice !
The treaty's signed with faithful France,
And now, like Frenchmen, sing and dance !
But when your joy^ives way to reason,
And friendly hints are not deem'd treason.
Let me, as well as I am able.
Present your Congress with a fable.
Tired out with happiness, the frogs
Sedition croak'd through all their bogs ;
And thus to Jove the restless race,
Made out their melancholy case.
180 SONGS AND BALLADS.
" Fam'd, as we are, for faith and prayer,
We merit sure peculiar care ;
But can we think great good was meant us.
When logs for Governors were sent us ?
" Which numbers crush'd they fell upon,
And caus'd great fear, — till one by one.
As courage came, we boldly fac'd 'em.
Then leap'd upon 'em, and disgrac'd 'em !
*' Great Jove," they croak'd, " no longer fool us,
None but ourselves are fit to rule us ;
We are too large, too free a nation,
To be encumber'd with taxation !
<' We pray for peace, but wish confusion,
Then right or wrong, a — revolution !
Our hearts can never bend t' obey ;
Therefore no king — and more we'll pray."
Jove smiled, and to their fate resign'd
The restless, thankless, rebel kind ;
Left to themselves, they went to work,
First signed a treaty \\^th king Stork.
He swore that they, with his alliance.
To all the world might bid defiance ;
Of lawful rule there was an end on't.
And frogs were henceforth — independent.
At which the croakers, one and all,
Proclaim'd a feast, and festival !
A HYMN. 181
But joy to-day brings grief to-morrow ;
Tlieir feasting o'er, now enter sorrow !
The Stork grew hungry, long'd for fish ;
The monarcli could not have his wish ;
In rage he to the marshes flies,
And makes a meal of his allies.
Then grew so fond of well-fed fi'ogs,
He made a larder of the bogs !
Say, Yankees, don't you feel compunction,
At your unnatural, rash conjunction ?
Can love for you in him take root.
Who's Catholic, and absolute ?
I'll tell these croakers how he'll treat 'em ;
Frenchmen, like storks, love frogs — to eat 'em.
1 D. M. It lias been suggested tliat David Matthews,
Mayor of tlie city of New York, during the Revolution, was
the writer of tliis song. D. M. is the only proof we have
that sucli is the case.
CHESTER.
1778.
William Billings, the author of the subjoined hymn, was
born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the seventh of October,
1746. He is more celebrated, as the earliest native writer of
musit; in America, than by his verses. He was zealous in
the cause of liberty, and the patriotic ardor which pervaded
his works, made them very popular with the colonists.
The New England soldiers, who, during the war, were
stationed in the Southern States, liad many of his tunes by
heart, and amused themselves by singing them in camp, to
the delight of all who heard them.
182 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A HYMN.i
Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
And slavery clank her galling chains ;
We fear them not ; we trust in God —
New England's God forever reigns.
Howe and Burgoyne, and Clinton, too,
With Prescott and Cornwallis join'd ;
Together plot our overthrow.
In one infernal league combin'd.
Then God inspir'd us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd ;
Their ships were shattered in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our coast.
The foe comes on with haughty stride ;
Our troops advance with martial noise ;
Their veterans flee before our youth.
And generals yield to beardless boys.
What grateful offering shall we bring ?
What shall we render to the Lord ?
Loud hallelujahs let us sing.
And praise his name on every chord.
'^ This hymn was published in "Billings' Singing Mas-
ter's Assistant," a collection of church music in general use
in New England, during the Revolution. In the introduc-
tion to this work, Billings says, " Dame Gamut's sons have
a strong propensitj^ to mirth and cheerfulness, always de-
lighting to frequent weddings and concerts, and some of
them seem to be greatly pleased in warlike achievements,
AN ANTHEM FROM SUNDRY SCRIPTURES. 1S3
and though they carry no instrument of death or destruo
tion, yet they are so extremely animating* that they can
cause even cowards to fight, and pusillanimity to perform
wonders."
The music and words of another piece in the " Singing
Master's Assistant," composed by Billings was entitled
RETROSPECT.
An Anthem from sundry scriptures.
*' Was not the day, was not the day.
Was not the day dark, and gloomy.
The enemy said, " let us draw a line,
Even from York to Canada."
But praised be the Lord !
But praised be the Lord !
The snare is broken, and we are escaped !
But praised be the Lord !
But blessed be the Lord !
The snare is broken, and we are escaped !
Hark, hark, hear the adjuration.
Cursed be the man that keepeth back his sword !
Oh ! dismal ! oh ! horrible ! oh ! dismal.
My bowels ! my bowels !
I am pained at my very lieart !
My heart maketh a noise within me,
For thou hast heard, oh my soul ! the alarm of war."
Billings died at Boston, September 26, 1800, aged fifty-
four.
* By this is understood the fife and drum, and other martial instru-
ments of music. Note by the author of the hymn.
A SONG.
1778.
''Lord North's Recantation " was written by "a gen-
tleman of Chester," England, and first appeared in the
London Evening Post. The appendix to the "Political
Duenna " contains it, as do many of the newspapers pub-
lished in 1779.
184 SONGS AND BALLADS.
LORD NORTH^S RECANTATION.
When North first began,
With his taxation plan,
The Colonies all to supplant ;
To Britain's true cause.
And her liberty, laws,
O, how did he scorn to recant.
Oh ! how did he boast.
Of his pow'r and his host.
Alternately swagger and cant ;
Of freedom so dear.
Not a word would he hear.
Nor believe he'd be forc'd to recant.
That freedom he swore.
They ne'er should have more,
Their money to give and to grant ;
Whene'er they address'd.
What disdain he express'd.
Not thinking they'd make him recant.
He armies sent o'er
To America's shore,
New government there to transplant ;
But every campaign
Prov'd his force to be vain.
Yet still he refus'd to recant.
But with all their bombast.
They were so beat at last.
LORD NORTHS RECANTATION. 185
As to silence his impious rant ;
Who for want of success,
Could at last do no less,
Than draw in his horns, and recant.
With his brother Burgoyne,
He's forc'd now to join.
And a treaty of peace for to want ;
Says he ne'er will fight.
But will give up his right
To taxation, and freely recant.
AVith the great General Howe,
He'd be very glad now.
He ne'er had engag'd in the jaunt ;
And ev'ry proud Scot,
In the devilish plot,
With his lordship, are forc'd to recant.
Old England alas !
They have brought to such pass,
Too late are proposals extant ;
America's lost.
Our glory at most
Is only that — tyrants recant.
186 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A PROPHECY.
1779.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
What though last year be past and gone,
Why should we grieve or mourn about it ?
As good a year is now begun,
And better too, let no one doubt it.
'Tis New Year's morn ; why should Ave part !
Why not enjoy what heaven has sent us?
Let wine expand the social heart,
Let friends, and mirth, and wine content us.
War's rude alarms disturb'd last year ;
Our country bled and wept around us ;
But this each honest heart shall cheer.
And peace and plenty shall surround us.
Last year king Congo, through the land, *
Display 'd his thirteen stripes to fright us ;
But George's power, in Clinton's hand.
In this new year shall surely right us.
Last year saw many honest men.
Torn from each dear and sweet connection,
But this shall see them home again,
And happy m their king's protection.
Last year vain Frenchmen brav'd our coasts,
And baffled Howe, and scap'd from Byron ;
A SOLILOQUY. 187
But this shall bring their vanquish'd hosts,
To crouch beneath the British Lion.
Last year rebellion proudly stood,
Elate, in her meridian glory ;
But this shall quench her pride in blood ;
George will avenge each martyr'd tory.
Then bring us wine, full bumpers bring ;
Hail this new year in joyful chorus ;
God bless great George, our gracious king.
And crush rebellion down before us.
A SOLILOQUY.
1779.
These verses were composed by Philip Freneau, a native
of the city of New York. He was born on tiie second of
January, 1752, and died December 18, 1832. He is cele-
brated as the most popular poet of the revolution. The
greater part of his productions do not come under the
class of songs or ballads. This specimen of his writings
was first published in the United States Magazine, and
afterwards, with some alterations and improvements, to
suit the more mature judgment of the poet ; it appeared in
the various editions of his poems.
GEORGE THE THIRD'S SOLILOQUY.
Oh ! blast this Congress, blast each upstart State,
On whose commands ten thousand warriors wait ;
From various climes that dire assembly came.
True to their trust, yet hostile to m}^ fame.
'Tis these, ah ! these have ruined half my sway,
Disgrac'd my arms, and lead my realm astray,
188 SONGS AND BALLADS.
France aids them now ; I play a desperate game,
And sunburnt Spain they say will do the same ;
My armies vanquish'd, and my heroes fled,
My people murmaring, and my commerce dead.
My shatter'd navy, pelted, bruis'd, and clubb'd.
By Dutchmen bullied, and by Frenchmen drubb'd.
My name abhorr'd, my nation in disgrace,
What should I do in such a mournful case ?
My hopes and joys are vanish'd, with my coin,
My ruined army, and my lost Burgoyne !
What shall I do, confess my labors vain,
Or whet my tusks, and to the charge again ?
But Where's my force, my choicest troops are fled,
Some thousands crippled, and a myriad dead ;
If I were owned the stoutest of mankind,
And hell with all her rage inspired my mind ;
Could I at once with France and Spain contend,
And fight the rebels on the world's green end ?
Yet rogues and savage tribes I must employ,
And what I cannot conquer, Avill destroy.
Is there a robber close in Newgate hemm'd ?
Is there a cut- throat fetter'd and condemned ?
Haste, loyal slaves, to George's standard come,
Attend his lectures when you hear the drum.
Your chains I break, for better days prepare.
Come out, my friends, from prison and from care ;
Far to the west I plan your desperate way.
A SOLILOQUY. 1S9
There, 'tis no sin, to ravage, burn, and slay ;
There, without fear, your bloody trade pursue,
And show mankind what British rage can do.
Ye daring hosts that crowd Columbia's shore.
Tremble, ye traitors ! and exult no more ;
Flames I will hurl with an unceasing hand.
Till fires eternal blaze throughout your land ;
And every dome and every town expires.
And traitors perish in the unfeeling fires.
But hold — though this be all my soul's desire,
Will my own towns be proof to rebel fire ?
If in revenge my raging foes should come
And burn my London — it would strike me dumb
To see my children and my queen in tears,
And these tall piles come tumbling round my ears.
Curs'd be the day when first I saw the sun,
Curs'd be the hour when I this war begun ;
The fiends of darkness then inspir'd my mind,
And powers unfriendly to the human kind ;
My future years I consecrate to woe.
For this great loss my soul in tears shall flow.
To wasting grief and sullen rage a prey.
To Scotland's utmost verge I take my way ;
With nature's storms eternal concert keep.
And while her billows rage as fiercely weep ;
Oh ! let the earth my rugged fate bemoan.
And give at least one sympathizing groan,
190 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A SONG.
1779.
These verses were published in the Royal Gazette, in
March, 1779, as "A Song, written by a refugee on reading
the King's speech, and sung at the Refugee Club, in the
city of New York, to the tune " Hearts of Oak."
A SONG.
Here's a bumper, brave boys, to the health of our
King,
Long may he live, and long may we sing.
In praise of a monarch who boldly defends
The laws of the realm, and the cause of his friends.
Then cheer up, my lads, we have nothing to fear,
While we remain steady,
And always keep ready.
To add to the trophies of this happy year.
The Congress did boast of their mighty ally,
But George does both France and the Congress
defy ;
And when Britons unite, there's no force can with-
stand
Their fleets and their armies, by sea and on land.
Thus supported, our cause we will ever maintain,
And all treaties with rebels will ever disdain ;
Till reduc'd by our arms, they are forc'd to confess.
While ruled by Great Britain they ne'er knew
distress.
THE PRESENT AGE. 191
Then let us, my boys, Britain's right e'er defend.
Who regards not her rights, we esteem not our
friend ;
Then, brave boys, we both France and the Congress
defy.
And we'll fight for Great Britain and George till we
die.
Then cheer up, my lads, we have nothing to fear.
While we remain steady.
And always keep ready.
To add to the trophies of this happy year.
THE PRESENT AGE.
1779.
Tlie author of these sprightly verses is not known. In
tlie " New Hampshire Gazette " they appear, with the fol-
lowing note to the printer : " By inserting tliis in your
next paper, you will oblige one of your country sub-
scribers." We do not know of their being printed else-
where.
THE PRESENT AGE.
Of all the ages ever known.
The present is the oddest ;
For all the men are honest grown
And all the women modest.
'Not lawyers now are fond of fees,
Nor clergy of their dues ;
No idle people now one sees,
At church no empty pews.
102 SONGS AND BALLADS.
No courtiers now their i'rieuds deceive
With promises of favor ;
For what they made 'em once believe,
Is done and done forever.
Our nobles — Heaven defend us all !
I'll nothing say about 'em ;
For they are great and I'm but small,
So muse, jog on without 'em.
Our gentry are a virtuous race,
Despising earthly treasures ;
Fond of true honor's noble chase,
And quite averse to pleasures.
The ladies dress so plain indeed,
You'd think 'em Quakers all,
Witness the wool packs on their heads,
So comely and so small.
No tradesman now forsakes his shop.
For politics or news ;
Or takes his dealer at a hop.
Through interested views.
No soaking sot forsakes his spouse,
For mugs of mantling nappy ;
Nor taverns tempt him from his house,
Where all are pleas'd and happy.
Our frugal taste the State secures.
Whence then can woes begin?
THE PRESENT AGE. 193
For luxury's turn'd out of doors,
And prudence taken in.
From hence proceeds th' abundant flow,
Of plenty through the land ;
Where all provisions all men know.
Are cheap on ev'ry hand.
No pleasure-chaises fill the streets,
Nor crowd the roads on Sunday ;
So horses ambling thro' the week
Obtain a respite one day.
All gaming, tricking, swearing, lying.
Is grown quite out of fashion ;
For modern youth's so self-denying.
It flies all lawless passion.
Happy the nation thus endow'd !
So void of wants and crimes ;
"Where all are rich and none are proud,
Oil ! these are glorious times.
Your characters (with wondering stare
Cries Tom) are mighty high, sir ;
But pray forgive me, if I swear,
I think they're all a lie, sir.
Ha ! think you so, my honest clown ?
Then take another light on't ;
Just turn the picture upside down,
I fear you'll see the right on't.
194 bONGS AND BALLADS.
SIR HENRY CLINTON'S
INVITATION TO THE REFUGEES.
1779.
" Sir Harry's Invitation " was written by Philip Fre
neau. We have it in a ballad sheet, dated 1779.
THE INVITATION.
Come, gentlemen tories, firm, loyal, and true.
Here are axes and shovels, and something to do !
For the sake of our King,
Come labor and sing.
You left all you had for his honor and glory,
And he will remember the suffering tory.
We have, it is true.
Some small work to do ;
But here's for your j)ay, twelve coppers a day,
And never regard what the rebels may say,
But throw off your jerkins and labor away.
To raise up the rampart, and pile up the wall.
To pull down old houses, and dig the canal,
To build and destroy.
Be this your employ,
In the day-time to work at our fortifications,
And steal in the night from the rebels your rations.
The king Avants your aid.
Not empty parade ;
THE INVITATION. 195
Advance to your places, ye men of long faces,
Nor ponder too much on your former disgraces,
This year, I presume, will quite alter your cases.
Attend at the call of the fifer and drummer.
The French and the rebels are coming next summer,
And the forts we nmst build
Though tories are killed.
Take courage, my jockies, and work for your king.
For if you are taken, no doubt you will swing.
If York we can hold,
I'll have you enrolPd ;
And after you're dead, your names shall be read,
As who for their monarch both labor'd and bled.
And ventur'd their necks for their beef and their
bread.
'Tis an honor to serve the bravest of nations.
And be left to be hang'd in their capitulations.
Then scour up your mortars,
And stand to your quarters,
'Tis nonsense for tories in battle to run.
They never need fear sword, halberd, or gun ;
Their hearts should not fail 'em,
No balls will assail 'em ;
Forget your disgraces, and shorten your faces.
For 'tis true as the gospel, believe it or not.
Who are born to be hang'd, will never be shot.
196 SONGS AND BALLADS.
A NEW BALLAD.
1779.
This loyal song appeared originally in England. Riving-
ton published it in the Royal Gazette, in November, 1779,
and afterwards on a ballad sheet, with the chorus, " Derry
Down."
A NEW BALLAD.
Rouse, Britons ! at length,
And put forth your strength,
Perfidious France to resist.
Ten Frenchmen will fly,
To shun a black eye,
il an Englishman doubles his fist.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
But if they feel stout.
Why let them turn out.
With their maAvs stuff'd with frogs, soups, and
jellies ;
Brave Hardy's sea thunder.
Shall strike them with wonder.
And make the frogs leap in their bellies I
For their Dons and their ships.
We care not three skips
Of a flea — and their threats turn into jest, O !
We'll bang their bare ribs,
For the infamous fibs,
Cramm'd into their fine manifesto.
A NEW BALLAD. 197
Our brethren so frantic,
Across the Atlantic,
Who quit their old friends in a huff ;
In spite of their airs,
Are at their last prayers,
And of fighting have had quantum suff.
Then if powers at a distance,
Should offer assistance.
Say boldly, " we want none, we thank ye,"
Old England's a match,*
And more for old scratch,
A Frenchman, a Spaniard, a Yankee !
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
1 Old England's a Match. Tlie following extempore ap-
peared, a short time after this song was published, in
America.
Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Catawbas,
Are all engaged to fight us :
Keep off you Mynlieers with your yaws.
And England's gun shall right us.
We don't mind Monsieur's copper lace,
Nor solemn Don in cloak ;
Once let us meet them face to face,
And fighting is no joke.
Three cheers for England's weal we give,
And pour the broadside in ;
The wretch that is not fit to live,
To kill can be no sin.
198 SONGS AND BALLADS.
THE ETIQUETTE.
There are various versions of this sarcastic " English
ballad." The subjoined copy differs from the original, first
published in tiie London Magazine, in 1778, in one particular
only.^ The writer of it is unknown. It is included in a
collection of poems, and fugitive pieces, published in Lon-
don in 1779. The numerous editions of it that appeared
during the last year of tlie Revolution, establish the fact of
its popularity.
THE ETIQUETTE.
What though America doth pour
Her millions to Britannia's store,
Quoth Grenville, that won't do — for yet,
Taxation is the etiquette.
The tea destroy 'd, the offer made •
That all the loss should be repaid —
North asks not justice, nor the debt,
But he must have the etiquette.
He'd stop their port — annul their laws —
*' Hear us," cried Franklin^. " for our cause ! "
To hear th' accus'd, the senate met,
Decreed 'twas not the etiquette.
At Bunker's Hill the cause was tried.
The earth with British blood was dyed ;
Our array, though 'twas soundly beat,
We hear, bore off the etiquette.
THE ETIQUETTE. 199
The bond dissolv'd, the people rose,
Their rulers from themselves they chose;
Their Congress then at naught was set —
Its name was not the etiquette.
Though 'twere to stop the tide of blood,
Their titles must not be allow'd,
(Not to the chiefs of armies met,)
One Arnold was the etiquette.
The Yankees at Long Island ^ found
That they were nearly run aground ;
Howe let them 'scape when so beset —
He will explain the etiquette.
His aide-de- camps to Britain boast
Of battles — Yankee never lost ;
But they are won in the Gazette —
That saves the nation's etiquette.
Clinton his injur'd honor saw,
Swore he'd be tried by martial law,
And kick Germaine whene'er they met —
A ribbon sav'd that etiquette.
Though records speaks Germaine's disgrace,
To quote them to him to his face,
(The Commons now are — si honnete^)
They voted not the etiquette.
Of Saratoga's dreadful plain —
An army ruin'd ; why complain
200 SONGS AND BALLADS.
To pile their arms as tliey were let,
Sure they came off with etiquette !
Cries Burgoyne, " They may be reliev'd,
That army still may be retriev'd,
To see the king if I be let ; "
" No, sir ! 'tis not the etiquette."
God save the king ! and should he choose
His people's confidence to lose.
What matters it '? they'll not forget
To serve him still — through etiquette.
1776.
1 In tlie original publication of this song, the first is a five
line stanza, having
" Though risk it all, and nothing get,'''
after the third line.
2 The Yankees at Long Island. Among other incidents
of the retreat of the Americans from Long Island, in 1776,
the loyal prints circulated the following : '• From report,
we hear that Mr. Washington and his dirty rebel outcasts,
got a good soaking the other day, in tlieir flight from Long
Island. They were so vigorously pursued, by our brave
fellows, that many of them took to the water like dogs, and
swam over the creek. A deserter, lately come into the
royal lines, says he saw nearlj^ all the rebel army drying
their only shirt and trowsers on the bushes, meanwhile
performing various monkey tricks and other rebel disci-
pline, to keep warm in tlieir buffs. He didn't see Mr. Wash-
ington in this new rebel armor, so we suppose he was com-
fortably situated in some one of those hay lofts he has
unjustly pressed from the friends of justice, right, and a
leving king."
ABOUT SAVANNAH. 201
SIEGE OF SAVANNAH.
1779.
Count D'Estaing, with his fleet of twenty sail, reached
the coast of Georgia early in September, 1779. Soon after
his arrival, a plan was concerted with General Lincoln, to
make a combined attack upon Savannah. Through delay
and mismanagement, the Americans and their allies were
repulsed. Numerous severe and ironical ballads, commem-
orating the event, appeared shortly after, from w^hich the
one subjoined is selected.
ABOUT SAVANNAH.
Come let us rejoice,
With heart and with voice,
Her triumphs let loyalty show, sir,
While bumpers go round,
Re-echo the sound,
Huzza for the king and Prevost, sir.
With warlike parade,
And his Irish brigade,
His ships and his spruce Gallic host, sir.
As proud as an elf,
D'Estaing came himself.
And landed on Georgia's coast, sir„
Their joining a band.
Under Lincoln's command.
Of rebels and traitors and whigs, sir,
'Gainst the town of Savannah
He planted his banner.
And then he felt wonderous big, sir.
202 SONGS AND BALLADS.
With thund'ring of guns,
And bursting of bombs,
He thought to liave frighten'd our boys, sir.
But amidst all their din,
Brave Maitland push'd in,^
And Moncrieffe ^ cried, " A fig for your noise," sir,
Chagrined at delay.
As he meant not to stay.
The Count form'd his troops in the morn,^ sir.
Van, center, and rear
March 'd up without fear,
Cock sure of success, by a storm, sir.
Though rude was the shock,
Unmov'd as a rock.
Stood our firm British bands to their works, sir,
While the brave German corps,
And Americans bore
Their parts as intrepid as Turks, sir.
Then muskets did rattle.
Fierce raged the battle.
Grape shot, it flew thicker than hail, sir.
The ditch fill'd with slain.
Blood dyed all the plain.
When rebels and French turned tail, sir
See ! see ! how they run !
Lord ! what glorious fun !
How they tumble, by cannon mow'd down, sir!
ABOUT SAVANNAH. 203
Brains fly all around,
Dying screeches resound,
And mangled limbs cover the ground, sir.
There Pulaski fell,*
That imp of old Bell,
Who attempted to murder his king,^ sir.
But now he is gone.
Whence he'll never return ;
But will make hell with treason to ring, sir.
To Charleston with fear,
The rebels repair ;
D'Estaing scampers back to his boats, sir,
Each blaming the other,
Each cursing his brother.
And — may they cut each other's throats, sir.
Scarce three thousand men.
The town did maintain,
'Gainst three times their number of foes, sir,
Who left on the plain.
Of wounded and slain.
Three thousand to fatten the crows, sir.
Three thousand ! no less ! ^
For the rebels confess
Some loss, as you very well know, sir.
Then let bumpers go round,
And re-echo the sound.
Huzza for the king and Prevost, sir.
20i SONGS AND BALLADS.
1 Brave Maitland pushed in. D'Estaing, before his junc-
tion with Lincoln, demanded a surrender of the town to
the arms of France ; when Prevost asked for twenty-four
hours suspension of hostilities that he might prepare
proper terms. Meanwhile Colonel Maitland, with a large
body of men, marched from Beaufort and joined the royal
army. Prevost, thus reinforced, determined on resistance.
Colonel Maitland died during the siege, of a bilious dis-
order.
2 And Moncrieffe. Major Moncrieffe was the engineer
who planned t)ie defences of Savannah.
3 The Count formed his troops in the morn. On a report
from tiie engineers, that a long time would be required to
take possession of the town by regular approaches, it was
determined to make an assault. Early on the morning of
the tentli of October, nearly five thousand troops, consist-
ing of Fi-encli, Continentals and the inhabitants of Charles-
ton, marched up to the lines, led on by D'Estaing and
Lincoln. But a heavy and well-directed fiie from the
batteries, and a cross fire from the galleys, tlirew tliem into
confusion, and a retreat was ordered after they had stood
the enemy's fire for fifty-five minutes. Bamsay.
* There Piihtskifell. Count D'Estaing and Count Pulaski
were both wounded ; the latter mortally. He was struck
by a small cannon ball and fell from liis liorse, wliile lead-
ing his troops. In the retreat, he was borne from the field
and placed upon one of the ships in the harbor, where he
died. He was buried under a large sycamore on St.
Helen's Isle, about forty miles from Savannah.
5 Who attempted to murder his Idng. Pulaski was a
native of Poland. In 1769 he was engaged in a rebellion
against Stanislaus, king of Poland. In 1771, he, with a
body of chosen men. entered Warsaw for the purpose of
seizing the king. They so far succeeded as to carry him
witiiout the walls of the city ; but were obhged to leave
him, and escape from a troop of horse that were sent to
overtake tliem. His army was afterwards defeated, and
his estates confiscated, when he went to Paris. In 1777 he
went to America and joined the army under Washington,
where he distinguislied himself by his good service to the
cause he had embraced.
6 Three thousand ! no less. Tlie French lost in killed and
wounded six hundred and tliirty-seven men. and the
Americans four hundred and fifty-seven. The British loss
did not exceed one hundred and seventy -five.
A NEW SONG. 205
A NEW SONG.
This ballad commemorates tlie attack upon Savannah.
It appeared in Rivington's Gazette, as " A new song to an
old tune, written by a Yankee, and sung to the tune of
Doodle doo."'
A NEW SONG.
The Frenchmen came upon the coast,
Our great allies, and they did boast.
They soon would bang the British host.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
D'Estaing he wrote to General Lincoln,
And told him that he need not think on
Danger, but hi quick step march down.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
So Lincoln came down to Savannah,
The French and we all sung hosanna,
We soon will take them every man-a.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
Then Maitland came just in the nick.
Or we'd have shown them such a trick,
As w^oulcl have made them very sick.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, i)a.
But soon we found ourselves mistaken.
And were glad to save our bacon,
Rather than be killed or taken.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
206 SONGS AND BALLADS.
We thought to take the enemy,
But we, alas ! were forced to fly,
We may do better by and by.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
The French, it's true, behav'd quite civil,
Yet we wish'd them to the devil.
And hope that good may spring from evil.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
And now that they on board are gone,
Have left poor us here all alone.
We've nought to do but sigh and moan.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa,
The enemy must keep their post.
In spite of all the Gallic host.
And Georgia we've forever lost.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa,
THE RECESS.
1779.
This satire first appeared at London, where it was writ-
ten by " a true friend of the King and the Colonies." It
was reproduced in America, in 1779, on a music sheet,
adapted to the tune "Yankee Doodle."
THE RECESS.i
And now our Senators are gone
To take their leave of London,
THE RECESS. 207
To mourn how little they have done,
How much they have left undone !
Heaven bless 'em m their summer seats,
And grant their neighbors stare at
The long recounting of their feats,
Though wond'ring much what they're at !
Bless'd be the times when men may do.
What no one comprehendeth ;
May boast of deeds that all must rue.
Nor judge where nonsense endeth !
One year, with half ten thousand men.
We swallow all our foes up ;
The next, the times are turn'd, and then
Old England's scale light goes up.
But still with courage and with glee,
New laws we must be framing ;
With paper and with i)archment, we
The savages are taming.
We swear the transatlantic folks
Shall all obey our orders ;
While they tarn ail we do to jokes.
And cry out, " guard your borders."
Well, then, we'll go to war with France —
Yes — no — we must — we mustn't ;
John Bull shall teach Monsieur to dance —
But can't — and there's the curse on't.
208 SONGS AND BALLADS.
What's to be done ? — we'll end the jar —
But how ? — Ah ! there's the devil —
'Tis easier to provoke a war
By far, than care the evil.
We trust you'll nearer hit the point
When you shall meet next winter;
And if you cannot set the joint,
Be sure reduce the splinter.
1 Tlie Recess. The editor of the Pennsylvania Ledger, a
loyal newspaper, printed at Philadelphia, had a great an-
tipathy to " all such faint praise."' " These scurrilous
verses," says he, " are calculated to do more harm to our
king and country, than would the defeat of one half of our
army. It is only another instance of tlie base, perfidious
means made use of by the quiet leaders in the present re-
bellion, to subvert law and the rights of the ministry.
Such moderate writers ought to have a cord for their mod-
eration. God save the King ! "
DUTCH SOXG.
1779.
This song w^as published in the Pennsylvania Packet, at
Philadelphia, as " A song made by a Dutch lady at the
Hague, for the sailors of the five American vessels at Am-
sterdam. June, 1779."
DUTCH SONG.
God save the Thirteen States !
Long rule th' United States !
God save our States !
DUTCH SONG. 209
Make us victorious ;
Happy and glorious ;
No tyrants over us ;
God save our States !
Oft did America
Foresee, with sad dismay,
Her slav'ry near.
Oft did her grievance state,
But Britain, falsely great,
Urging her desp'rate fate,
Turn'd a deaf ear.
Now the proud British foe
We've made, by vict'ries, know,
Our sacred right.
Witness at Bunker's Hill,
Where godlike Warren fell,
Happy his blood to spill.
In gallant fight.
To our fam'd Washington
Brave Stark at Bennington,
Glory is due.
Peace to Montgomery's shade.
Who as he fouglit and bled,
Drew honors round his head,
Num'rous as true.
Look to Sar'toga's plain,
Our captures on the main,
Moultrie's defence.
210 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Our catalogue is long,
Of heroes yet unsung,
Who noble feats have done
For independence.
The melting mother's moans,
The aged father's groans.
Have steel'd our arms.
Ye British Whigs beware !
Your chains near formed are,
In spite of Richmond's care
To sound alarms.
Come join your hands to ours ;
No royal blocks, no tow'rs ;
God save us all I
Thus in our country's cause.
And to support our laws ;
Our swords shall never pause
At Freedom's call.
We'll fear no tyrant's nod.
Nor stern oppression's rod.
Till Time's no more.
Thus Liberty, when driv'n
From Europe's states, is giv'n
A safe retreat and hav'n.
On our free shore.
O, Lord ! thy gifts in store,
We pray on Congress pour,
To guide our States.
VOLUNTEER BOYS. 211
May union bless our land,
While we, with heart and hand,
Our mutual rights defend,
God save our States !
God save the Thirteen States !
Long watch the prosp'rous fates
Over our States !
Make us victorious ;
Happy and glorious ;
No tyrants over us ;
God save our States !
VOLUNTEER BOYS.
1780.
This is one of the best convivial songs produced during
the war. Its authorsliip has been attributed to Henry
Archer,! a native of England, wlio emigrated to America
in 1778, and embraced the cause of the Colonists.
VOLUNTEER BOYS.
Hence with the lover who sighs o'er his wine,
Cloes and Phillises toasting,
Hence with the slave who will whimper and whine,
Of ardor and constancy boasting.
Hence with love's joys.
Follies and noise.
The toast that I give is the Volunteer Boys.
212 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Cobles and beauties and such common toasts,
Those who admire may drink, sir ;
Fill up the glass to the volunteer hosts,
Who never from danger will shrink, sir.
Let mirth appear.
Every heart cheer.
The toast that I give is the brave volunteer.
Here's to the squire who goes to parade
Here's to the citizen soldier ;
Here's to the merchant who fights for his trade,
Whom danger increasing makes bolder.
Let mirth appear.
Union is here,
The toast that I give is the brave volunteer.
Here's to the lawyer, Avho, leaving the bar,
Hastens Avhere honor doth lead, sir,
Changing the gown for the ensigns of war.
The cause of his country to plead, sir.
Freedom appears.
Every heart cheers.
And calls for the health of the law volunteers.
Here's to the soldier, though batter'd in wars.
And safe to his farm-house retir'd ;
When called by his country, ne'er thinks of his scars,
With ardor to join us inspir'd.
Bright fame appears.
Trophies uprear,
To veteran chiefs who became volunteers.
VOLUNTEER BOYS. 213
Here's to the farmer who dares to advance
To harvests of honor with pleasure ;
Who with a slave the most skilful in France,
A sword for his country would measure.
Hence with cold fear,
Heroes rise here ;
The plowman is chang'd to the stout volunteer.
Here's to the peer, first in senate and field,
Whose actions to titles add grace, sir ;
Whose spirit undaunted would never yet yield
To a foe, to a pension or place, sir.
Gratitude here,
Toasts to the peer.
Who adds to his titles, " the brave volunteer."
Thus tlie bold bands for old Jersey's defence.
The muse hath with rapture review'd, sir ;
With our volunteer boys, as our verses commence,
Witli our volunteer boys they conclude, sir.
Discord or noise.
Ne'er damp our joys.
But health and success to the volunteer boys.
"^ Henry Archer . "Dr. French," a nepliew of the cele-
brated Jonathan French (minister at Andover, Mass.), now
living in the town of Rockingham, Vermont, says he often
heard his father say that "Henry Archer, a gentleman
from England," was the author of the " Volunteer Boys."
By referring to tlie Pennsylvania Packet, October. 1778,
the reader will find the following. " Philadelphia — Friday
last, arrived in this city, Henry Archer, Esq. This young
gentleman has been educated at a military school, in Eng-
land, where he owned a handsome fortune, which he has
lately sold, in order to embark as a volunteer in the Amer-
ican army."
214 SONGS AND BALLADS.
AN APPEAL.
1780.
This song was transposed by a refugee, and intended for
the loyalists without the lines, while D'Estaing was in
Georgia ; but it was not published until some time after
the French fleet had left the coast. It was adapted to tlie
tune "The Cut-Purse," and became very popular with the
friends of loyalty, during the latter part of the war.
A SONG.
The old English cause knocks at every man's door,
And bids him stand up for religion and right ;
It addresses the rich as well as the poor ;
And fair liberty, bids them, like Englishmen
fight.
And suffer no wrong,
From a rebel throng.
Who, if they're not quelled, will enslave us ere
long ;
Most bravely then let us our liberty prize.
Nor suffer the Congress to blind all our eyes ;
Or each rebel cut-purse, will soon give us law,
For they are as bad as a Tyler or Straw.
From France, D'Estaing to America has come.
The French banditti will rob our estates ;
These robbers are all protected by Rome ; ^
Consult but their annals, record but their dates,
It's their politics
To burn heretics.
AN APPEAL. 215
Or poison by water that's fetch'd from the Styx.
Let Frenchified rebels, in vain then attempt
To bring our own churcli, or our king to contempt ;
For no rebel cut-purse shall e'er give us law,
Should they prove as daring as Tyler or Straw.
The farces of Rome, with carrying her hosts,
Are laughed at and jeer'd by the learned and
wise.
And all her thin tinsels apparently lost.
Her stories of relics, and sanctified lies.
Each ignorant joke
Believe, or you smoke,
And if we are conquer'd we receive the Pope's yoke ;
But despising the counsels of Adams and Lee,
As loyal Americans, we'll die or be free.
For no rebel cut-throat shall e'er give us law,
Should they prove as daring as Tyler or Straw.
Let curses most vile, and anathemas roar,
Let half-ruin'd France, to the Pope tribute pay ;
Britain's thundering cannon, shall guard safe our
shore ;
Great George shall defend us, none else we'll
obey.
Then France, join'd by Spain,
May labor in vain.
For soon the Havana shall be ours again.
The French then will scamper and quit every state,
And find themselves bubbled, when inorhleu it's too
late.
216 SONGS AND BALLADS.
For no Frenchman, or rebel imp of the law,
In our old constitution can point out a flaw.
1 These robbers are all protected by Rome. The loyal
writers used every effort to frighten the patriots into a
return to their allegiance to the king of Great Britain.
Among these, they pictured the supremacy of the Pope as
a sure consequence upon the success of the French in
America, and invented many absurd stories about the
" inevitable destruction of life, liberty and property, that
must ensue if the rebel Congress should have its sway."
The following appeared in Rivington's Gazette : '" The
clergy and selectmen of Boston paraded through the
streets after a crucifix and joined in a procession in pray-
ing for a departed soul out of purgatory ; and for this,
they gave the example of Congress, and other American
leaders, on a former occasion at Philadelphia, some of
whom in the height of their zeal, even went so far as to
sprinkle themselves with what they call holy water."
At another time Rivington published : " On the receipt
of the last manifesto from the English commissioners, one
of the Congress had the resolution to make the following
short speecli : ' I have listened to this manifesto with great
attention, and am not ashamed to acknowledge that it
breatlies a spirit of candor and resolution by which I am
considerably influenced. No man in this august assembly
will dare to express a doubt of my sincere attachment to
the true interest of my country. I am convinced that the
interest of America is inseparable from that of Britain,
and that our alliance with France is unnatural, unprofita-
ble, and absurd. I therefore move that this phantom of
Independence may be given up.
" He had hardly uttered the words before the president
sent a messenger to fetch the Polish Count Pulaski, who
happened to be exercising a part of his legion in the court-
yard below. The Count flew to the chamber where the
Congress sat, and with his saber in an instant severed from
his l)ody the head of this lionest delegate. The head was
ordered by the Congress to be fixed on the top of the liberty
pole of Philadelphia, as a perpetual monument of the free-
dom of debate in the Continental Congress of the United
States of America."
CHARLESTON. 217
CHARLESTON.
1780.
The reduction of Charleston, South Carolina, by the
British, in 1780, was the subject of numerous songs and
poems. The subjoined specimen was written by an officer
of the royal army, and first published in a ballad-sheet, set
to the tune of the ** Watery God."
A SONG ABOUT CHARLESTON.
King Haxcock ^ sat in regal state,
And big with pride and vainly great,
Address'd his rebel crew.
These haughty Britons soon shall yield
The boasted honors of the field,
AYhile our brave sons pursue.
Six thousand fighting men or more,
Protect tlie Carolina shore,
And Freedom will defend ;
And stubborn Britons soon shall feel,
'Gainst Charleston, and hearts of steel,
How vainly they contend.
But ere he spake in dread array.
To rebel foes, ill-fated day.
The British boys appear ;
Their mien with martial ardor fir'd.
And by their country's wrongs inspir'd.
Shook Lincoln's heart with fear.
218 SONGS AND BALLADS.
See Clinton brave, serene, and great,
For mighty deeds rever'd by fate.
Direct the thund'ring fight.
While Mars, propitious God of war,
Looks down from his triumphal car,
With wonder and delight.
" Clinton," he cries, " the palm is thine,
'Midst heroes thou wert born to shine,
A great immortal name.
And Cornwallis' mighty deeds appear,
Conspicuous each revolving year.
The pledge of future fame."
Our tars, their share of glories won,
For they among the bravest shone.
Undaunted, firm and bold.
Whene'er engag'd, their ardor show'd
Hearts which with native valor glow'd.
Hearts of true British mold.
1 King Hancock. About the time this ballad was written,
the subjoined paragraph appeared in the loyal newspapers :
"John Hancock and Samuel Adams. — Fortune, in one of
her highest frolics, elevated those malignant stars to the
zenith of power. The baneful influence of their conjunc-
tion, in the Western political hemisphere, has produced
direful effects ; but, when the lunacies of the former are
separated from the villanies of the latter, the deluge of de-
struction that is certairdy, though slowly, rolling after
them, will rapidly come on, and overwhelm them and their
infatuated votaries in prodigious ruin.
"John Hancock appears in public with all the pageantry
and state of an Oriental prince. He rides in an elegant
chariot, which was taken in a prize to the ' Civil Usage,' a
pirate vessel, and by the owners presented to him. He is
OUR WOMEN. 219
attended by four servants, dressed in superb livery,
mounted on fine liorses richly caparisoned, and escorted by
fifty horsemen with drawn sabers, the one half of whoiii
precede, and the other follow, his carriage. So, at present,
figures this man, who owes his greatness to his country's
ruin."
OUR WOMEN.
1780.
These lines were addressed to the females of Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey, " who illustrated tlie nobility of
their sentiment and virtue of their patriotism, by generous
subscriptions to the suffering soldiers of the American
army." The author is unknown.
OUR WOMEN.
All hail ! superior sex, exalted fair,
Mirrors of virtue. Heaven's peculiar care ;
Form'd to enspirit and ennoble man
The immortal finish of Creation's plan !
Accept the tribute of our warmest praise
The soldier's blessing and the patriot's bays !
For fame's first plaudit we no more contest
Constrain'd to own it decks the female breast.
While partial prejudice is quite disarmed.
And e'en pale envy with encomiums charm'd.
Freedom no more shall droop her languid head,
Kor dream supine on sloth's lethargic bed.
No more sit weeping o'er the veteran band.
Those virtuous, brave protectors of her land ;
220 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Who, nobly daring, stem despotic sway.
And live the patriot wonders of the day.
For lo ! these sons her glorious work renew,
Cheer'd by such gifts, and smiles, and pray'rs from
you!
More precious treasure in the soldier's eye
Than all the wealth Potosi's mines supply.
And now ye sister angels of each state.
Their honest bosoms glow with joy elate.
Their gallant hearts with gratitude expand
And trebly feel the bounties of your hand.
And wing'd for you their benedictions rise,
Warm from the soul and grateful to the skies !
Nor theirs alone th' liistorian patriots fir'd,
Shall bless the generous virtue you've inspir'd.
Invent new epithet to warm their page,
And bid you live admired from age to age ;
With sweet applauses dwell on every name,
Endear your memories and embalm your fame.
And thus the future bards shall soar sublime,
And waft you glorious down the stream of time ;
The breeze of panegyric fill each sail,
And plaudits pure perfume the increasing gale.
Then freedom's ensign thus inscribed shall wave,
" The patriot females who their country save ; "
Till time's abyss absorb'd in heavenly lays.
Shall flow in your eternity of praise.
THE COW CHACE. 221
THE COW CHACE.
1780.
This ballad was written bj^ Major John Andre. i and first
published in the Royal Gazette. It commemorates the
attack of General Wayne, upon the Refugee's Block House,
situated on the Hudson River, about four miles below Fort
Lee, on the twenty-first of July, 1780.
THE COW CHACE.2
Part I.
To drive the kine one summer's morn,
The tanner took his way ;
The calf shall rue that is unborn,
The jumbling of that day.
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 ruminate,
Unconscious in the stall,
What mighty means were used to get,
And loose them after all.
For many heroes bold and brave.
From Newbridge and Tappan,
And those that drink Passaic's wave,
And those who eat supaun ;
222 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And sons of distant Delaware,
And still remoter Shannon,
And Major Lee Avith horses rare,
And Proctor with his cannon.
All wond'roQS 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 buff,
Arrived at Freedom's pole ;
When Wayne, who thought he'd time enough.
Thus speechified the whole.
*' O ye, who glory doth unite,
Who Freedom's cause espouse ;
Whether the wing that's doom'd to fight,
Or that to drive the cows.
« Ere yet you tempt your further way,
Or into action come.
Hear, soldiei's, what I have to say.
And take a pint of rum.
" Intemp'rate valor then will string
Each nervous arm the better ;
So all the land shall I O sing,
And read the General's letter.
" Know that some paltry refugees.
Whom I've a mind to fight ;
THE COW CHACE. 223
Are playing h — 1 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 attack,
Whilst you are all at blows.
From English neighb'rhood and Nyack,
Will drive away the cows ;
" 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 aloud.
For serious work with Wayne.
Then from the cask of rum once more,
They look a heady gill ;
When one and all, they loudly swore,
They'd fight upon the hill.
But here the muse hath not a strain
Befitting such great deeds ;
Huzza ! they cried, huzza ! for Wayne,
And shouting .
224 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Part II.
Near his meridian pomp the sun
Had journey 'd from the horizon ;
When fierce the dusky tribe mov'd on,
Of heroes drunk as pison.
The sounds confus'd of boasting oaths,
Re-echo'd through the wood ;
Some vow'd to sleep in dead men's clothes,
And some to swim in blood.
At Irving's nod 'twas fine to see,
The left prepare to fight ;
The while, the drovers, Wayne and Lee,
Drew off upon the right.
Which Irving 'twas, fame don't relate,
Nor can the muse assist her;
Whether 'twas he that cocks a hat.
Or he that gives a clyster.
For greatly one was signaliz'd.
That fought on Chestnut Hill ;
And Canada immortaliz'd
The vender of the pill.
Yet the attendance upon Proctor,
They both might have to boast of ;
Por there was business for the doctor.
And hats to be disposed of.
THE COW CHACE. 225
Let none uncandidly infer,
That Stirling wanted spunk ;
The self-made peer had sure been there,
But that the peer was drunk.
But turn we to the Hudson's banks,
Where stood the modest train ;
With purpose firm, though slender ranks.
Nor car'd a pin for Wayne.
For them the unrelenting hand
Of rebel fury drove ;
And tore from every genial band
Of friendship and of love.
And some within a dungeon's gloom,
By mock tribunals laid ;
* Had waited long a cruel doom
Impending o'er each head.
Here one bewails a brother's fate,
There one a sire demands,
Cut off, alas ! before their date.
By ignominious hands,
And silver'd grandsires here appear'd
In deep distress serene.
Of reverent manners that declar'd
The better days they'd seen.
Oh, curs'd rebellion, these are thine.
Thine are these tales of woe ;
226 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Shall at thy dire insatiate shine,
Blood never cease to flow ?
And now the foe began to lead
His forces to the attack ;
Balls w^histling unto balls succeed,
And make the block-house crack.
No shot could pass, if you will take
The General's word for true ;
But 'tis a d ble mistake,
For every shot went tlirough.
The firmer as the rebels press'd,
The loyal heroes stand ;
Virtue had nerv'd each honest breast.
And industry each hand.
" In valor's frenzy, Hamilton,
Rode like a soldier big,
And secretary Harrison,
With pen stuck in his wig."
" But lest their chieftain Washington,
Should mourn them in the mumps.
The fate of Withrington to shun.
They fought behind the stumps."
But ah, Thaddeus Posset, why
Should thy poor soul elope ?
And why should Titus Hooper die,
Ay, die — without a rope ?
THE COW CHACE. 227
Apostate Murphy, thou to whom
Fair Shela ne'er was cruel,
In death shalt hear her mourn thy doom,
*' Och ! would you die, my jewel ? "
Thee, Nathan Pumpkin, I lament.
Of melancholy fate ;
The gray goose stolen as he went,
In his heart's blood was wet.
Now, as the fight was further fought,
And balls began to thicken.
The fray assum'd, the generals thought.
The color of a lickin'.
Yet undismayed the chiefs command,
And to redeem the day ;
Cry, Soldiers, charge ! they hear, they stand,
They turn and run away.
Part III.
Kot all delights the bloody spear.
Or horrid din of battle ;
There are, I'm sure, who'd like to hear
A word about the cattle.
The chief whom we beheld of late.
Near Schralenburg haranguing.
At Yan Van Poop's unconscious sat
Of Irving's hearty banging.
228 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Whilst valiant Lee, with courage wild,
Most bravely did oppose
The tears of woman and of child,
Who begg'd he'd leave the cows.
But Wayne, of sympathizing heart,
Required a relief ;
Not all the blessings could impart
Of battle or of beef.
For now a prey to female charms.
His soul took more delight in
A lovely hamadryad's arms.
Than cow-driving or fighting.
A nymph the refugees had drove
Far from her native tree.
Just happen'd to be on the move,
When up came Wayne and Lee.
She, in mad Anthony's fierce eye.
The hero saw portray'd.
And all in tears she took him by
— The bridle of his jade.
" Hear," said the nymph, " O, great commander !
No human lamentations ;
The trees you see them cutting yonder,
Are all my near relations.
" And I, forlorn ! implore thine aid.
To free the sacred grove ;
THE COW CHACE. 229
So shall thy prowess be repaid
With an immortal's love."
Now some, to prove she was a goddess,
Said this enchanting fair
Had late retired from the bodies
In all the pomp of war.
The drums and merry fifes had play'd
To honor her retreat ;
And Cunningham himself convey'd
The lady through the street.
Great Wayne, by soft compassion sway'd,
To no inquiry stoops.
But takes the fair afflicted maid
Right into Yan Van Poop's.
So Roman Anthony, they say,
Disgrac'd the imperial banner,
And for a gypsy lost a day.
Like Anthony the tanner.
The hamadryad had but half
Receiv'd address from Wayne,
When drums and colors, cow and calf,
Came down the road amain.
And in a cloud of dust was seen
The sheep, the horse, the goat,
The gentle heifer, ass obscene.
The yearling and the shoat.
230 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And pack-horses with fowls came by,
Befeather'd on each side ;
Like Pegasus, the horse that I
And other poets ride.
Sublime upon his stirrups rose
The mighty Lee behind,
And drove the terror- smitten cows
Like chaff before the wind.
But sudden see the woods above,
Pour down another corps.
All helter-skelter in a drove.
Like that I sung before.
Irving and terror in the van.
Came flying all abroad ;
And cannon, colors, horse, and man,
Ran tumbling to the road.
Still as he fled, 'twas Irving's cry,
And his example too,
" Run on, my merry men — For why ?
The shot will not go through." ^
As when tAvo kennels in the street,
Swell'd with a recent rain.
In gushing streams together meet,
And seek the neighboring drain ;
So met these dung-born tribes in one,
As swift in their career,
THE COW CHACE. 231
And so to IN'ewbridge they ran on —
But all the cows got clear.
Poor Parson Caldwell, all in wonder,
Saw the returning train,
And mourn'd to Wayne the lack of plunder
For them to steal again.
For 'twas his right to steal the spoil, and
To share with each commander,
As he had done at Staten Island
With frost-bit Alexander.
In his dismay, the frantic priest.
Began to grow prophetic ;
You'd swore, to see his laboring breast,
He'd taken an emetic.
" I view a future day," said he,
" Brighter than this day dark is ;
And you shall see what you shall see,
Ha ! ha ! my pretty Marquis !
" And he shall come to Paulus Hook,
And great achievements think on ;
And make a bow and take a look.
Like Satan over Lincoln.
" And every one around shall glory
To see the Frenchman caper ;
And pretty Susan tell the story
In the next Chatham paper."
232 SONGS AND BALLADS.
This solemn prophecy, of course,
Gave all much consolation,
Except to Wayne, who lost his horse,
Upon that great occasion.
His horse that carried all his prog,
His military speeches ;
His corn-stock whiskey for his grog,
Blue stockings and brown breeches.
And now I've clos'd my epic strain,
I tremble as I show it,
Lest this same warrior-drover, Wayne,
Should ever catch the poet.
^ John Andre. The history of this young officer is well
known. All that we know of his literary efforts, is given
in the following advertisement, which appeared in Riving-
ton's Gazette a short time after he was executed. " Monody
on Major Andre, by his friend and correspondent. Miss
Seward ; with three letters, written by him, at eighteen
years of age, to a most accomplished young lady, the object
of his tenderest affection ; also a few copies of the three
cantos of the Cow Chace, which makes the collection com-
plete respecting the literary productions of this ever-valued
and universally beloved young gentleman."
2 Cow Chace. Tliree or four miles below Fort Lee, at the
base of the Palisades, on Hudson River, is a little village,
called Bull's Ferry. Just below tliis village, was a block-
house, occupied in the summer of 1780. by a British picket,
for the protection of some wood-cutters, and tlie neighbor-
ing Tories. On Bergen Neck, below, was a large number
of cattle and horses, within reach of the British foragers,
who might go out from the fort at Paulus Hook. Washing-
ton then sent General Wayne, with some Pennsylvania and
Maryland troops, to storm the work on Blockhouse Point,
and to drive the cattle within the American lines. Wayne
sent the cavalry, under Major Lee, to perform the latter
duty, while he and three Pennsylvania regiments
JOHN PAULDING. 233
marched against the block-lioiise with four pieces of artil-
lery. They made a spirited attack, but their cannons
were too light to be effective, and, after a skirmish, the
Americans were repulsed, with a loss in killed and wounded
of sixty-four men. After burning some wood-boats near,
and capturing the men in charge of tliem, Wayne returned
to camp with a large number of cattle, driven by the
dragoons. — Lossing's Field Book.
The last canto of this epic was published on the day
when Andre was captured. The original cop\'^ is still in
existence, and has the following endorsement upon it,
under the signature of Major Andre.
** When the epic strain was sung,
The poet by the neck was hung.
And to his cost he finds too late,
The dung-born tribe decides his fate."
3 The shot icill not go through. The following is a poetical
note by the author of the song.
"Five refugees ('tis true) were foimd,
Stiff on the block-house floor ;
But then 'tis thought the shot went round.
And in at the back door."
JOHN PAULDING.
1780.
The incidents connected with the capture and trial of
Major Andre are well known. Many songs have been
written, lamenting his unhappy fate. The one subjoined
we copy from a ballad-sheet printed in 1783.
BRAVE PAULDING 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.
234 SONGS AND BALLADS.
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
Resolv'd not long to stay ;
He set himself at liberty,
And soon he ran av/ay.
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 Paulding was 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."
JOHN PAULDING. 235
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 noAv 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 :
236 SONGS AND BALLADS.
I am a man of honor,
With courage true and bold,
And I fear not the man of clay,
Although he's cloth'd in gold."
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 to General Arnold,
To let him know his fate,
And beg for his assistance ;
But now it was too late.
When the news it came to Arnold,
It put him in a fret ;
He walk'd the room in trouble.
Till tears his cheek did wet ;
The story soon went tlirough the camp,
And also through the fort ;
And he called for the Vulture
And sailed for New York.
Now Arnold to New York is gone,
A-fighting for his king,
And left poor Major Andre
On the gallows for to swing ;
When he was executed,
He looked both meek and mild ;
He look'd upon the people.
And pleasantly he smil'd.
SERGEANT CHAMPE. 237
It mov'd each eye with pity,
Caus'd every heart to bleed,
And every one wish'd him releas'd
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 Paulding !
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 !
SERGEANT CHAMPE.
1780.
The adventure of this gallant officer, commemorated in
the subjoined ballad, is connected with the conspiracy of
Arnold. The authorship of the song is unknown, as is the
case of very many of the finest productions of the Revolu-
tionary period. It was adapted to the air of " Barbara
Allen," and sung very generally, at home and in the camp,
during the last years of the Revolution.
SERGEANT CHAMPLE.i
Come sheathe your swords ! my gallant boys.
And listen to the story,-
How Sergeant Champe, one gloomy night.
Set off to catch the tory.
238 SONGS AND BALLADS.
You see the general had got mad,
To think his plans were thwarted,
And swore by all, both good and bad.
That Arnold should be carted.
So unto Lee he sent a line.
And told him all his sorrow,
And said that he must start the hunt,
Before the coming morrow.
Lee found a sergeant in his camp,
Made up of bone and muscle,
Who ne'er knew fear, and many a year
With tories had a tussle.
Bold Champe, when mounted on old Rip,
All buttoned up from weather.
Sang out, " good-by ! " crack'd oif his whip.
And soon was in the heather.
He gallop'd on towards Paulas Hook,
Inproving every instant —
Until a patrol, wide awake.
Descried him in the distance.
On coming up, the guard call'd out
And ask'd him where he's going —
To which he answer'd with his spur,
And left him in the mowing.
The bushes pass'd him like the wind,
And pebbles flew asunder.
SERGEANT CHAMPE. 239
The guard was left far, far behind,
All mix'd with mud and wonder.
Lee's troops paraded, all alive.
Although 'twas one the morning,
And counth]g o'er a dozen or more,
One sergeant is found wanting.
A little hero,^ full of spunk.
But not so full of judgment,
Press'd Major Lee to let him go.
With the bravest of his reg'ment.
Lee summon'd cornet Middleton,
Expressed what was urgent,
And gave him orders how to go
To catch the rambling sergeant.
Then forty troopers, more or less,
Set off across the meader ;
'Bout thirty-nine went jogging on
A-following their leader.
At early morn, adown a hill
They saw the sergeant sliding ;
So fast he went, it was not ken't.
Whether he's rode, or riding.
None looked back, but on they spurr'd,
A-gaining every minute.
To see them go, 'twould done you good.
You'd thought old Satan in it.
240 SONGS AND BALLADS.
The sergeant miss'd 'em, by good luck,
And took another tracing,
He turn'd his horse from Paulus Hook,
Elizabethtown facing.
It was the custom of Sir Hal
To send his galleys cruising.
And so it happened just then.
That two were at Van Deusen's.
Straight unto these the sergeant went.
And left old Rip, all standing,
A waiting for the blown cornet.
At Squire Van Deusen's landing.
The troopers didn't gallop home,
But rested from their labors ;
And some 'tis said took gingerbread
And cider from the neighbors.
'Twas just at eve the troopers reach'd
The camp they left that morning.
Champe's empty saddle, unto Lee,
Gave an unwelcome warning.
" If Champe has suffered, 'tis my fault ; "
So thought the generous major :
« I would not have his garment touch'd,
For millions on a wager ! "
" The cornet told him all he knew,
Excepting of the cider.
SERGEANT CHAMPE. 241
The troopers, all, spurr'd very well
But Champe was the best rider ! "
And so it happen'd that brave Champe
Unto Sir Hal deserted.
Deceiving him, and you, and me,
And into York was flirted.
He saw base Arnold in his camp,
Surrounded by the legion.
And told him of the recent prank
That threw him in that region.
Then Arnold grinn'd, and rubb'd his hands,
And e'enmost chok'd with pleasure,
Not thinking Champe was all the while
A " taking of his measure."
" Come now," says he, " my bold soldier,
As you're within our borders.
Let's drink our fill, old care to kill.
To-morrow you'll have orders."
Full soon the British fleet set sail !
Say ! wasn't that a pity ?
For thus it was brave Sergeant Champe
Was taken from the city.
To southern climes the shipping flew.
And anchored in Virginia,
When Champe escaped and join'd his friends
Among the picininni.
24:2 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Base Arnold's head, by luck, was sav'd,
Poor Andre was gibbeted,
Arnold's to blame for Andre's fame.
And Andre's to be pitied.
1 Sergeant John Champe was " a native of London county,
in Virginia, rather above the ordinary size, full of physical
power, with a countenance grave and thoughtful." He
enlisted in the Continental army at the age of nineteen,
where he served with honor to himself and the corps to
which he belonged. He was honorably discharged from
service, by Gen. Washington, on t!ie conclusion of his
hazardous adventure, lest he might betaken by the enemy
and hung ; and soon after retired to his home in London
county. In 1798 lie removed to Kentucky, where he re-
mained until tlie time of his death.
■^ And listen to the story. General Washington, on his
return to the army, immediately sent for Major Lee. Tliis
officer, on repairing to head-quarters, found the general
alone in his marquee busily engaged in writing. As soon as
he entered, a bundle of papers was laid before him for
perusal, in which he found much information tending to
prove that Arnold was not alone in the conspiracy, but
that among others, a major-general, whose name was not
concealed, was as guilty as Arnold himself. It was for
the purpose of forming a i^lan to ascertain the truth of
these suggestions, as well as for the capture of Arnold,
that Washington had summoned Lee, and the ])roject was
known to them alone. " It is my desire," said Washington,
" to probe to the bottom the intelligence contained in the
pa})ers you have just read : to seize Arnold, and by securing
him, to render it possible forme to restore the amiable and
unfortunate Andre to his friends. Have you, in your
legion, a person capable and willing to undertake a delicate
and dangerous project? Whoever comes forward, will lay
me under great personal obligations, and in behalf of the
nation I will reward him." Lee suggested a sergeant of
the cavalry as one in all respects qualified for the adven-
turous scheme, " being a man of tried courage and inflexi-
ble perseverance, and as likely to reject an overture
coupled with ignominy as any officer in the corps." The
general was delighted to find that a non-commissioned
officer was capable of carrying out his views, and Lee re-
turned to camp with his instructions to confer with
SERGEANT CHAMPE. 243
Champe, as it was the design he should set off that night.
After a long consultation, Champe was prevailed upon to
undertake the enterprise. The instructions were read to
him, and from them he prepared notes so disguised as to
be understood only by himself. Arnold was upon no ac-
count to be injured, but to be allowed to escape rather than
to be killed in preventing such an event. It was the desire
of Wa.sliington to make a public example of him.
No time was lost. Champe immediately prepared him-
^self and his horse for the journey, and a little before mid-
niglit, mounted to pursue his way to Paulus Hook. Within
half an hour Captain Carnes, officer of the day, repaired to
the quarters of Major Lee. and told him that the guard
had fallen in with a dragoon, who. upon being questioned,
put spurs to his horse and escaped ; at the same time re-
questing orders for the pursuit. The major, who had
assured Champe, that, in the event of his desertion being
discovered before morning, he would delay the pursuit as
long as possible, tried every device to accomplish it. He
complained of the disturbance of liis sleep, and suggested the
probability of its being a countryman on his way home, or
some soldier gone out on a tour of personal' i)leasure.
Captain Carnes then returned to his quarters, paraded the
troops and found one sergeant missing, of whicli he hastily
informed Major Lee. Some delay was occasioned by these
movements, Champe liad been gone but an hour, when the
troopers, under the command of a cornet, set off on the
chase. A shower of rain had fallen soon after the sergeant's
departure, which enabled the dragoons to take his trail.
On they spurred, stopping occasionally during the darkness
of the night, to examine the foot-prints of the fugitive's
horse.* When morning broke, no longer forced to halt,
they passed on rapidly. Ascending the summit of a hill, a
few miles north of the village of Bergen, the}" descried
Champe, not more than half a mile in front. He at the same
time discovering them, put spurs to his horse, determined
they should not overtake him. The cornet now put his
horses to the top of their speed, and recollecting a short
route through the woods, sent a party off that way, to in-
tercept the road at a bridge below Bergen, while he with
the remainder followed Champe. Being so closely pursued,
* The shoes of the horses were all made in the same form ;
which, with a private mark annexed to the fore shoe, and
known to the troopers, pointed out the trail of the dragoons to
each other, which was often very useful.
Lee's Memoirs.
244 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Champe relinquished his intention of going to Paulus Hook,
and sought refuge in some British galleys, that had for a
long time occupied a station a few miles west of Bergen.
On his entering the village he disguised his track by taking
the beaten streets, and after passing through it, took the
Toad leading to Elizabethtown. Meanwhile the cornet's
party had reached the bridge, and found, with sore disap-
pointment, the sergeant liad slipped through their fingers.
Returning up the road, they inquired whether a dragoon
had been seen in the village, but could get no intelligence
as to the road lie had taken. The troops soon spread over
the village, and in a short time again struck tlie trail.
The chase was renewed with greater vigor, and Champe
was soon discovered. He, apprehending the event, had
prepared himself for it. as he now had come abreast the
galleys. Leaving his horse, and lashing liis valise to his
shoulders, he threw himself into the river and called out
to the galleys for aid. This was quickly given. The
British fired on the cornet's party, and sent a boat to meet
Champe, who was taken on board and conveyed to New
York, with a letter from the captain relating the facts of
the case. The cornet returned to camp in the afternoon,
when the soldiers, seeing the sergeant's horse in his pos-
session, exclaimed, " The scoundrel is killed and the honor
of our corps vindicated."
When Champe arrived at New York, he delivered the
letter from the captain of the galley to the coiumandant,
and was soon sent to Sir Henry Clinton. He detained him
more than an hour, questioning him in reference to the
state of the army since the desertion of Arnold, the
probable ftite of Andre, and tlie popularity of Washington,
all of which he answered warily. Placing two guineas in
his hand, he advised Champe to visit Arnold. On seeing
him, the traitor expressed great satisfaction, and pressed
him to join a new legion he was raising. After some
delay, Champe enlisted, for the purpose of securing the
freedom of Arnold's house, which would further the plans
of taking him v^dien the time should arrive.
He now turned his attention to the delivery of letters he
had brought, to the agents of Washington. On the follow-
ing night he delivered one, but it was not until five days
after he saw the person to whom the other was addressed,
and who was to aid him in the capture of Arnold. While
these things were transpiring, Andre was hung. Nothing
now remained but to seize and deliver Arnold safely to
Major Lee, who at an appointed time, was to be ready on
SERGEANT CHAMPE. 24:5
the Jersey shore to receive him. Champe, from his en-
listment, had every opportunity to notice the habits of
Arnold. He discovered it was his custom to visit the
garden on his return home every night. During this visit
he was to be seized, gagged and carried into an adjoining
alley, where Champe's friends were to receive and bear him
to a boat in the North river.
On the night appointed, Major Lee left camp, with a
a body of cavalry and three led horses one of Arnold, one
for Champe, and a third for his friend ; never doubting the
success of the adventure. The party reached Hoboken
about midniglit, and concealed themselves in an adjoining
wood. Lee, witli three dragoons, went down to the bank
of tlie river. The night passed away, and no boat ap-
proached, when Lee returned to camp, much chagrined
and disappointed at the issue of the project.
Soon after, Lee received a letter from the friend of
Champe, informing him that on the very night appointed
for the execution of the plot, Arnold had removed his
quarters to another part of the town, to superintend the
embarkation of troops, and the corps to which Champe
belonged had already gone on board the transports. Thus
it happened that Sergeant Champe. instead of crossing the
Hudson with his prisoner, was quietly placed on board a
British transport, whicli he never departed from until the
troops under Arnold landed in Virginia.
On the junction with Cornwallis, Champe deserted, pass-
ing into North Carolina and keeping within the friendly
districts of that State, safely joined the American army,
near the Congaree river. His old comrades were surprised
to see a deserter so affectionately received by Major Lee,
but after his story was told, cheer upon cheer went up for
" the intrepid and gallant sergeant."
Lee's Memoirs,
3 A little hero. This was Capt. Carnes, officer of the day,
who communicated the fact of Champe's desertion to
Major Lee.
246 SONGS AND BALLADS.
ARNOLD.
1780.
This " address to the vile traitor " was published in the
Pennsylvania Packet, October 24th, 1780.
TO THE TRAITOR ARNOLD.
Arnold ! thy name, as heretofore,
Shall now be Benedict no more ;
Since, instigated by the devil.
Thy ways are turn'd from good to evil.
'Tis fit we brand thee with a name,
To suit thy infamy and shame ;
And since of treason thou'rt convicted,
Thy name should now be maledicted.
Unless by way of contradiction.
We style thee Britain's Benediction ;
Such blessings she, with liberal hand,
Confers on this devoted land.
For instance, only let us mention.
Some proofs of her benign intention ;
The slaves she sends us o'er the deep,
The bribes to cut our throats in sleep.
To take our lives and scalps away,
The savage Indians keeps in pay,
And Tories worse, by half, than they.
KING'S MOUNTAIN. 247
Then in this class of Britain's heroes,
The Tories, savage Indians, Negroes,
Kecorcled, Arnold's name shall stand.
While Freedom's blessings crown our land
And odious for the blackest crimes,
Arnold shall stink to latest times.
KING'S MOUNTAIN.
1780.
The success of the Americans at King's Mountain. i over
the forces of Ferguson and Depuyster, has been the sub-
ject of numerous ballads. The one subjoined was written,
a short time after the action, and pubHshed on a small
sheet, the following year.
BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.2
'TwAs on a pleasant mountain
The Tory heathens lay ;
With a doughty major at their head,
One Ferguson they say.
Cornwallis had detach'd him,
A thieving for to go,
And catch the Carolina men.
Or bring the rebels low.
The scamp had rang'd the country
In search of royal aid.
And with his owls, perched on high.
He taught them all his trade.
248 SONGS AND BALLADS.
But ah ! that fatal mornmg,
When Shelby brave drew near !
'Tis certainly a warning
That ministers should hear.
And Campbell, and Cleveland,
And Colonel Sevier,
Each with a band of gallant men,
To Ferguson appear.
Just as the sun was setting
Behind the western hills.
Just then our trusty rifles sent
A dose of leaden pills.
Up, up the steep together
Brave Williams led his troop,
And join'd by W^inston, bold and true,
Disturb'd the Tory coop.
The royal slaves, the royal owls.
Flew high on every hand ;
But soon they settled — gave a howl.
And quartered to Cleveland.
I would not tell the number
Of Tories slain that day,
But surely it is certain
That none did run away.
For all that were a living,
Were happy to give up ;
KING'S MOUNTAIN. 249
So let us make thanksgiving,
And pass the ])right tin-cup.
To all the brave regiments,
Let's toast 'em for their health,
And may our good country
Have quietude and wealth.
1 King's Mountain is situated near the Cherokee Ford, in
the northern part of South Carohna. The battleground is
about one mile and a half south of the South Carolina line.
'^ Battle of King's Mountain. The following brilliant ac-
count of this action is taken from the oration of the Hon.
J. T. Preston, delivered at the battle ground, on the 4th
of October, 1855. The battle was fought on the 7th of
October, 1780. " At twelve o'clock, the sky cleared," when
the patriot army " found themselves within three miles of
Ferguson's camp, on King's Mountain. They halted, under
an order passed rapidly along the line — an order, perhaps,
the most laconic and appropriate ever given under tlie like
circumstances. It was in those words :
" ' Tie up overcoats, pick touch-holes, fresh prime, and
he ready to fight.' "
" The officers here determined to divide their force, and
to surround the mountain. At this moment, an express
from Ferguson to Cornwallis was arrested, his despatches
opened, and read aloud at the head of the line. In them,
he said, ' I hold a position on the King's Mountain that all
the rebels out of hell cannot drive me from.' There was
no shout or disorder M^hen this was read ; but a quiet grim
smile passed along the line as they struck into a double
gallop. In twenty minutes, they were in sight of the Brit-
ish camp. They drew up along the bank of that little
brook ; tliey dismounted and tied tlieir horses to the limbs
of the trees, leaving them in charge of a small guard. The
order of attack was hurriedly made, but with a military
skill and discretion that could not be excelled. There was
not an error or mistake, or even a miscalculation of march-
ing time from tiie outset to the end. Each column ad-
vanced rapidly along the indicated line, all the lines tend-
ing to a common center, which was the British encamp-
ment at the summit of the ridge. There began a scattering
tire, for eight or ten minutes, on the centre column of the
250 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Americans. The patriots moved steadily until Sevier's
column, on the right, passed out of the valley in full sight
of the enemy. The fire then began in earnest on both
sides. The mountaineers proved their skill with most
deadly effect, forcing Ferguson, at the very beginning,
to resort to a direct charge. This charge was headed by a
company of British regulars, and was worthy the liigli
name and fame of that service. It was boldly and gal-
lantly done, and forced the patriots to give back down
the hill ; but at that moment Cleaveland and Williams ap-
peared on the left, and poured into the charging columns
such an awful fire as to stop them before Sevier was routed.
The British turned from charging on Sevier, and wheeling,
made a terrible dash at Cleaveland and Williams on the left,
and with like effect, driving them back down the ridge.
Sevier, however, rallied instantly, and at the same time
Shelby and Campbell appeared with the center column,
rising in front along the ridge. These two columns, the
centre and left, then poured their fire on both flanks of
the British, and stopped the charge against Cleaveland and
Williams. Wheeling rapidly and receiving reinforce-
ments from within the lines, the British then made a third
charge directly against the center column, and that irre-
sistible British bayonet again told its story, and Campbell
and Shelby were forced back, down nearl}^ to tlie valley.
But Cleaveland and Williams having rallied their columns,
and Sevier's continuing to pour its fire in from tlie left, the
British were forced to leave the pursuit of Campbell and
Shelby, turned suddenlN". and themselves retreated up tlie
ridge. Shelby and Campbell, hearing this tremendous fire
on both flanks, finding the British wer^ retreating, sup-
posed they were defeated, rallied instant!}', and turned in
pursuit of them with hurrahs of victory. The British
turned immediately, and attempted a fourth charge. It,
however, was then too late — the blood of the mountaineers
was hot ; they met and repulsed that cliarge, and drove
the British back within their lines. This enabled the three
columns of the patriots to meet, and literally surround
the army of Ferguson. Then came the fierce rage of the
battle : a circle of fire hemmed the wolf in liis stronghold.
The English soldiers proved their breeding in this hour of
danger and despair. The regulars with their bayonets,
and the Tories with their butclier-knives fastened to the
muzzles of their guns, charged on this closing flame with
the fierce energy of despair. In vain ! The mountain
hunters, calmly but rapidly loading, and deliberately aim-
KING'S MOUNTAIN. 251
ing, each at his mark, sent a death messenger in every
bullet. At every discharge, they advanced a few steps,
until there was one narrowing circle of flashing flame
crackling around their devoted victims. At this moment,
the British cavalry were ordered to mount. TJie order was
heard by the Americans. It was the very tiling for their
rifles, giving a clear mark above tiie bushes ; and as each
man threw his leg over iiis horse, he fell dead on the other
side. Ferguson, with a gallantry that seemed to rise with
his desperate condition, rode from rank to rank, and from
post to post, encouraging, cheering, and driving liis men.
At length, he found his army pressed, and actually huddled
together near the summit of the mountain, and falling as
fast as the Americans could load and shoot. He deter-
mined on one more charge, and, taking his position at tlie
head of his cavalry, and with a voice that was heard loud
above the roar of battle, summoned his men to ' crush the
damned rebels into the earth.' Tliere was a pause for a
moment, and one round of the Americans was stopped.
Instead of the roar of their rifles, there was heard onl}^ the
click of the lock — it was the serpent's low warning of com-
ing death. The pause was but for a moment, when Fer-
guson and Dupoistre, horse and foot, burst like an avalanche
down the mountain's side. Before they came within sixty
paces of the American line, every rifle was loaded and
under deadly aim. Ferguson was in front, and fell at the
first discharge, with seven mortal wounds. The patriots
rushed forward to meet the shock as Dupoistre's regulars,
with set bayonets and sabres in rest, came crushing down
upon them. Not Agincourt nor Cressy, with all their
chivahy, ever felt a shock more fearful than that ; but
had the heavens rained British bayonets, it would not have
stopped these patriots. The destinies of America, per-
haps of mankind, depended on their muscle. Like martyrs,
they went to the death — like lions they rushed to the
carnage. Officer and soldier, with blood-shot eyes and
parched tongues, bounded upon the huddling enemy until
their fierce glare and hot breath could be seen and felt by
the craven Tory and his bull-dog master ; and at the mo-
ment they were crouching together for the last spring, a
wild, terror-stricken shriek rose above the battle — a yell
for quarter. A white flag was run up, arms thrown down,
and God's champions shouted, ' Victorj^ ! Liberty ! ' That
shout echoed from the mountain to the sea, and far along
the shore to where the majestic Washington sat almost
weeping over the sad horrors of the South. His great heart
252 SONGS AND BALLADS.
leaped with prophetic joy as tliis beam of hope came borne
on tlie triumphant voice of liis beloved and trusted men of
' West Augusta ; ' for the men who sent that shout were
the very men of whom Washington said lie would ' trust
to them to maintain American liberty after all else had
failed,' He knew the mountain was the birthplace, but
never the grave, of liberty. One hour sufficed for this
crowning scene in theswelling dramaof our Revolutionary
struggle, acted by rude men from beyond ' unknown
mountains.' Not one of the enemy escaped. The force of
Ferguson amounted to something over eleven hundred
men, and of these two hundred and forty were killed, and
two hundred wounded — a strange proportion, telling the
fatal story of that long small bore rifle. Over seven hun-
dred were taken prisoners, with all their arms, ammunition,
and equipments. It was a total defeat, and a capture of
nearly a quarter of Cornwallis's army/'
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
187L
This production was written in America, and published
in a music sheet, entitled " New Year's Day, 1781, to the
tune " Oet you gone, raw head and bloody bones.'' It also
appeared in the anti-ministerial English and American
newspapers of the time.
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Oh ! Old England, old England ;
And oh ! the New Year's day ;
Such a new year as this
A blind man would gladly see.
How we go up, up, up, etc,.
Now we are at a dead stop.
And so we sink deeper and deeper.
Little Georgey's as sound as a top,
And his Primy's an excellent sleeper.
NEW YEARS DAY. 253
Oh ! the navy, the navy,
Of Britain the safety and boast ;
Lord Tvvitcher has kept it so safely,
Our foes on the seas rule the roast.
Here's an inferior fleet,
With an admiral wrapt up in flannel ;
By which we're insulted abroad.
And with which we sneak into the channel.
But oh ! how we hurried and scurried,
Our cowardly enemies scorning ;
There we run away over night.
And there we waited till morning.
Parliaments squabble and gabble.
Ministers wonder and stare ;
Armies march backwards and forwards,
Americans stand as they were.
But oh ! how bloody and stout.
Struts the commander-in-chief;
He's as sharp as a snipe at the snout,
And lacks nothing but wisdom and beef.
This lord bids him go up,
That lord makes him run down,
T'other drives him first backwards and for-
wards.
And a fourth makes him skip and turn round.
With such mighty armies and fleets.
With commanders and ministers true ;
254 SONGS AND BALLADS.
We bully all kingdoms and states,
Tho' to beat one we cannot tell how.
But so we go up, up, up, etc.
As for our credit and wealth,
The pride and the strength of John Bull ;
The nation's as poor as myself,
Tho' Lord North swears his budget's quite full.
So we go up, up, up, etc.
Oh ! for a gibbet and block.
Oh ! for a hatchet and cleaver ;
How well would a home-hit stroke.
Prove a just and a kind reliever.
Then would old England go up.
Instead of going down, down-a ;
We're tired of backwards and forwards,
'Tis time that things were turn'd round-a.
Then would we lop 'em and crop 'em.
Bring traitors at once to a level ;
The junta should lead up the dance.
And the others the Avay to the devil.
Then would old England go up, etc.
At court we make snuffers and buttons,
Great folks must have something to do ;
Bully Bagshot cures drunkards and gluttons,
The King gallops from Windsor to Kew.
See him tit up a tit up, etc.
A SONG. 255
Oh ! religion, religion,
I mean to be seriously grave,
Archbishops and bishops raise papists,
The protestant cause for to save.
So we go up, up, up, etc.
See Murray and Wedderburne both,
O'er our lives and our fortunes preside ;
And its lucky for England, in troth,
No such lawyers are bred south of Tweed.
So we go up, up, up, etc.
So we're abolish'd, demolish'd,
Yet no man stands Up for his right ;
But, my friends, while the kingdom's on fire.
The Scots make their way by the light.
Then lielp old England up.
And knock all her enemies down.
Let us join as all Englishmen ought,
'Tis time that things were turn'd round.
A SONG.
1781.
THE SOLDIER AT HOME.
From noise of camps once more I come,
To snatch from care a short repose ;
All hail thou tranquil much lov'd home,
That war nor dread misfortune knows.
^56 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Thus, far remov'd from hostile bands,
May'st thou heart-pleasmg home remain ;
Curs'd be the murderous foreign hands
That dare witli blood thy bosom stain.
Oh haste, ye generous few I love,
Again in social converse join ;
With me the sweets of friendship prove,
And to the winds your cares resign.
But oh ! to recollect how soon
The period comes that bids me hence ;
A sadd'ning momentary gloom
Steals half my joys, and clouds my sense.
But why indulge that care-mix'd thought?
The happy day may yet arrive,
When tyranny shall fall to nought,
And liberty alone survive.
Then Avith my friends in jocund mood,
I'll tell what dangers have been mine ;
And how Americans have stood
At German town and Brandy wine.
Here we'll remember martial Gates,
He taught the proud Burgoyne to yield ;
Who frowning at his adverse fates.
Surrendered on the well fought field.
Then each gay friend shall swell the tale,
With hardy deeds of bold emprise ;
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX. 25;
Again he sees our arms prevail,
And long-lost ardors now arise.
Here Howe, says be, (and marks the track,)
The British troops did proudly form ;
And here with adverse lines compact,
Brave Washington did swell the storm.
'Twas here I was, and points the spot,
(As he had traced on the ground,)
What bursts of thunder, showers of shot.
Yet there great Washington was found.
At ^Monmouth's plains, where Lee retreated,
Great Washington did then push on ;
Sir Harry's chosen troops defeated.
Then laugh'd his tyranny to scorn.
These happy days are yet to come,
Then why repine at such a fate ;
Bear well the woe that is your doom.
And joy can never come too late.
DESCENT OX MIDDLESEX.
1781.
On the evening of the twenty-first of July, seventeen
hundred and eighty-one, a party of Refugees embarked at
Lloyd's Neck, on Long Island, and landed on the Connec-
ticut shore the same night. TJie party concealed them-
selves in a wood, about five miles from tlie place where
they landed, and near the meeting-liouse of the town of
Middlesex. Here they lay until two o'clock in the after-
noon of the next day, " when the good people of Middle-
258 SONGS AND BALLADS.
sex were assembled, and devoutly praying for their great
and good ally, the King of France, the brave party sur-
rounded their sanctuary, and took from thence fifty noto-
rious rebels ; their reverend teacher at their head. Their
horses, forty in number, saddled and at hand, were taken
care of at the same time. The wdiole were moved in the
most expeditious manner to the shore, during which the
rebels, in the vicinit}-- of Middlesex, collected and har-
assed the soldiers in their return, notwithstanding which,
every rebel and every horse captured were safely con-
ducted on board the armed vessels, which returned to
Lloyd's that night," ^ The writer of this ballad, school-
master St. John, of Norwalk. was one of the persons taken
by this party. He composed it a short time after he re-
turned to his home from the Provost at New York.
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX.
July the twenty-second clay,
The precise hour I will not say,
In seventeen hundred and eighty-one,
A horrid action was begun.
While to the Lord they sing and pray,
The Tories who in ambush lay ;
Beset the house with brazen face,
At Middlesex, it was the place.
A guard was plac'd the house before,
Likewise behind and at each door ;
Then void of shame, those men of sin,
The sacred temple enter'd in.
The reverend Mather - closed his book,
How did the congregation look !
Those demons plunder'd all they could,
Either in silver or in gold.
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX. 259
The silver buckles which we use,
Both at the knees and on the shoes,
These caitiffs took them in their rage,
Had no respect for sex or age.
As they were searching all around.
They several silver watches found ;
While they who're plac'd as guards without,
Like raging devils rang'd about.
Run forty horses to the shore.
Not many either less or more ;
With bridles, saddles, pillions on.
In a few minutes all was done.
The men from hence they took away,
Upon that awful sacred day,
Was forty-eight, besides two more
They chanc'd to find upon the shore.
On board the shipping they were sent.
Their money gone, and spirits spent.
And greatly fearing their sad end.
This wicked seizure did portend.
They hoisted sail, the Sound they cross'd.
And near Lloyd's Neck they anchor'd first ;
'Twas here the Tories felt 'twas wrong,
To bring so many men along.
Then every man must tell his name,
A list they took, and kept the same ;
260 SONGS AND BALLADS.
When twenty-four of fifty men
Were order'd to go home again.
The twenty-six who staid behind,
Most cruelly they were confin'd ;
On board the brig were order'd quick,
And then confin'd beneath the deck.
A dismal hole with filth besmear'd,
But 'twas no more than what we fear'd ;
Sad the confinement, dark the night,
But then the devil thought 'twas right.
But to return Avhence I left off.
They at our misery made a scoff' ;
Like raving madmen tore about,
Swearing they'd take our vitals out.
They said no quarter they would give,
Nor let a cursed rebel live ;
But would their joints in pieces cut.
Then round the deck like turkeys strut.
July, the fourth and twentieth day,
We all marched off to Oyster Bay ;
To increase our pains and make it worse,
They iron'd just six pair of us.
But as they wanted just one pair
An iron stirrup lying there.
Was taken and on anvil laid,
On which they Avith a hammer paid.
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX. 261
And as they beat it inch by inch,
It bruis'd their wrists, at which they fiinch ;
Those wretched caitiffs standing by,
Would laugh to hear the sufferers cry.
Although to call them not by name,
From Fairfield county many came ;
And were delighted with the rout.
To see the rebels kick'd about.
At night we travell'd in the rain.
All begg'd for shelter, but in vain ;
Though almost naked to the skin,
A dismal pickle we were in.
Then to the half-way house we came.
The " Half-way House " 'tis called by name,
And there we found a soul's relief ;
We almost miss'd our dreadful grief.
The people gen'rously behav'd.
Made a good fire, some brandy gave.
Of which Ave greatly stood in need.
As we were wet and cold indeed.
But ere the house we did attain.
We trembled so with cold and rain,
Our irons jingled — well they might —
We shiver'd so that stormy night.
In half an hour or thereabout.
The orders were, " Come, all turn out !
262 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Ye rebel prisoners, shabby crew,
To loiter thus will never do."
'Twas now about the break of day,
When all were forc'd to march away ;
With what they order'd we complied,
Though cold, nor yet one quarter dried.
We made a halt one half mile short
Of what is term'd Brucklyn's fort ;
Where all were hurried through the street
Some overtook us, some we met.
We now traversing the parade,
The awful figure which we made,
Caus'd laughter, mirth, and merriment,
And some would curse us as we went.
Their grandest fort was now hard by us,
They show'd us that to terrify us ;
They show'd us all their bulwarks there,
To let be known how strong they were.
Just then the Tory drums did sound.
And pipes rang out a warlike round ;
Supposing we must thence conclude.
That Britain ne'er could be subdu'd.
Up to the guard-house we were led.
Where each receiv'd a crumb of bread ;
Not quite one mouthful, I believe.
For every man we did receive.
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX. 26^
In boats, the ferry soon we pass'd,
And at New York arriv'd at last ;
As through the streets we pass'd along,
Ten thousand curses round us rang.
But some would laugh, and some would sneer,
And some would grin, and others leer ;
A mixed mob, a medley crew,
I guess as e'er the devil knew.
To the Provost we then were haul'd,
Though we of war were prisoners call'd ;
Our irons now were order'd off.
And we were left to sneeze and cough.
But oh ! what company we found.
With great surprise we look'd around :
I must conclude that in that place,
We found the worst of Adam's race.
Thieves, murd'rers, and pickpockets too.
And every thing that's bad they'd do ;
One of our men found to his cost.
Three pounds, York money, he had lost.
They pick'd his pocket quite before
We had been there one single hour ;
And while he looked o'er and o'er.
The vagrants from him stole some more.
We soon found out, but thought it strange,
We never were to be exchang'd
2Q4: SONGS AND BALLADS.
By a cartel, but for some men
Whom they clesir'd to have again.
A pack with whom they well agree,
Who're call'd the loyal company,
Or " Loyalists Associated,"
As by themselves incorporated.
Our food was call'd two-thirds in weight
Of what a soldier has to eat ;
We had no blankets in our need.
Till a kind friend did intercede.
Said he, " The prisoners suffer so,
'Tis quite unkind and cruel too ;
I'm sure it makes my heart to bleed,
So great their hardship and their need."
And well to us was the event,
Fine blankets soon to us were sent ;
Small the allowance, very small.
But better far than none at all.
An oaken plank, it was our bed.
An oaken pillow for the head.
And room as scanty as our meals.
For we lay crowded head and heels.
In seven days or thereabout.
One Jonas Weed was taken out.
And to his friends he was resign'd,
But many still were kept behind.
DESCENT ON MIDDLESEX. 265
Soon after this some were parol'd,
Too tedious wholly to be told ;
And some from bondage were unstrung,
Whose awful sufferings can't be sung.
The dread smallpox to some they gave,
Nor tried at all their lives to save.
But rather sought their desolation,
As they denied 'em 'noculation.
To the smallpox there did succeed,
A putrid fever, bad indeed ;
As they before were weak and spent.
Soon from the stage of life they went.
For wood we greatly stood in need.
For which we earnestly did plead ;
But one tenth part of what we wanted
Of wood, to us was never granted.
The boiling kettles which we had.
Were wanting covers, good or bad ;
The worst of rum that could be bought.
For a great price, to us was brought.
For bread and milk, and sugar, too.
We had to pay four times their due ;
While cash and clothing which were sent.
Those wretched creatures did prevent.
Some time it was in dark November
But just the day I can't remember ;
^QQ SONGS AND BALLADS.
Full forty of us were confin'd
In a small room both damp and blind,
Because there had been two or three,
Who were not of our company,
Who did attempt the other day,
The Tories said, to get away.
In eighteen days we were exchang'd,
And through the town allowed to range ;
Of twentj^-five that Avere taken,
But just nineteen reach'd home again.
Four days before December's gone,
In seventeen hundred eighty-one,
I hail'd the place where months before,
The Tories took me from the shore.
1 Letter from Colonel Upham, Commandant at Lloyd's
Neck, to Governor Frankhn of New Jersey.
2 The revereiid Mather. Moses Mather, D.D., was the
pastor of the church. He was taken prisoner in 1779 by a
gang of loyahsts, and carried to New York. At tliis time,
the members of his congregation were taken out of the
church, tied two and two, with Dr. Mather at their head.
Cunningham, the keeper of the Provost at New York,
took every opportunity to insult Dr. Mather during his
imprisonment, and seemed to have great satisfaction in
informing him from day to day, "that he would soon be
executed — very probably, on the morrow."
THE DANCE. 267
THE DANCE.
1781.
This song, to the tune of Yankee Doodle, commemorating
the campaign of Cornwallis in America, appeared soon
after his surrender. The author is unknown.
THE DANCE.i
CoRxwALLis led a country dance,
The like was never seen, sir.
Much retrograde and much advance.
And all with General Greene, sir.
They rambled up and rambled down,
Join'd hands, tlien off they run, sir,
Our General Greene to Charlestown,
The earl to Wilmington, sir.
Greene, in the South, then danc'd a set,
And got a mighty name, sir,
Cornwallis jigg'd with young Fayette,
But suffered in his fame, sir.
Then down he figur'd to the shore.
Most like a lordly dancer.
And on his courtly honor swore.
He would no more advance, sir.
Quoth he, my guards are weary grown
With footing country dances.
They never at St. James's shone.
At capers, kicks or prances.
268 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Though men so gallant ne'er were seen,
While sauntering on parade, sir.
Or wriggling o'er the park's smooth green,
Or at a masquerade, sir.
Yet are red heels and long-lac'd skirts,
For stumps and briars meet, sir ?
Or stand they chance with hunting- shirts.
Or hardy veteran feet, sir ?
Now hous'd in York he challeng'd all.
At minuet or all 'amande.
And lessons for a courtly ball,
His guards by day and night conn'd.
This challenge known, full soon there came,
A set who had the bon ton,
De Grasse and Rochambeau, whose fame
Fut brilliant pour un long tems.
And Washington, Columbia's son.
Whom easy nature taught, sir,
That grace which can't by pains be won.
Or Plutus' gold be bought, sir.
Now hand in hand they circle round.
This ever- dancing peer, sir ;
Their gentle movements, soon confound
The earl, as they draw near, sir.
His music soon forgets to play —
His feet can no more move, sir.
CORNWALLIS BURGOYNED. 269
And all his bands now curse the day,
They jigged to our shore, sir.
Now Tories all, what can ye say ?
Come — is not this a griper.
That Avhile your hopes are danc'd away,
'Tis you must pay the piper.
1 The dance. The troops under Cornwallis had spread
desolation and ruin tlirougbout the country over which
they passed on their march from the South. Their num-
bers enabled them to go wherever they pleased, with com-
paratively little danger, and their great hatred to the
Yankees, often led them far from the line of march, to the
wanton destruction of property and life. The defeat and
capture of such an army produced the strongest emotions
in the breasts of the Colonists, and their villages, in their
houses and their streets, resounded with the tokens of
social triumph, exultation and joy.
CORNWALLIS BURGOYNED.
1781.
Several songs were composed to commemorate the sur-
render of the royal army at Yorktown. The one subjoined
was published a short time after the event, adapted to the
air " Maggie Lauder," which was at that time a great
favorite in both armies.
CORNWALLIS BURGOYNED.
When British troops first landed here,
With Howe commander o'er them,
They thought they'd make us quake for fear,
And carry all before them ;
With thirty thousand men or mdre,
And she without assistance,
America must needs give o'er.
And make no more resistance.
270 SONGS AND BALLADS.
But Washington, her glorious son,
Of British hosts the terror,
Soon, by repeated overthrows,
Convinc'd them of their error ;
Let Princeton, and let Trenton tell.
What gallant deeds he's done, sir.
And Monmouth's plains where hundreds fell,
And thousands more have run, sir.
Cornwallis, too,^ when he approach'd
Virginia's old dominion,
Thought he would soon her conqu'for be ;
And so was North's opinion.
From State to State with rapid stride.
His troops had march'd before, sir.
Till quite elate with martial pride.
He thought all dangers o'er, sir.
But our allies, to his surprise,
The Chesapeake had enter'd ;
And now too late, he curs'd his fate,
And wish'd he ne'er had ventur'd,
For Washington no sooner knew
The visit he had paid her.
Than to his parent state he flew,
To crush the bold invader.
When he sat down before the town,
His Lordship soon surrender'd ; ^
His martial pride he laid aside,
And cas'd the British standard;^
CORNWALLIS BURGOYNED. 271
Gods ! how this stroke will North provoke,
And all his thoughts confuse, sir !
And how the Peers will hang their ears.
When first they hear the news, sir.
Be peace, the glorious end of war,
By this event effected ; *
And be the name of Washington,
To latest times respected ;
Then let us toast America,
And France in union with her ;
And may Great Britain rue the day
Her hostile bands came hither.
1 Cornivallis, too. Cornwallis was a distinguished
warrior, intrepid and confident, and a zealous champion of
his tyrannical master. " Had all the rebels in the States
but one neck, his Lordship would glory in nothing more
than an opportunity of severing the jugular vein.'"
2 His Lordship soon surrendered. The siege of York-
town continued thirteen days, when Cornwallis requested
a suspension of hostilities, during which time he made a
desperate attempt to escape. On the morning of the day
appointed for the laying down of arms, the American and
French troops were drawn up on eitlier side of the road, in
a line of more than a mile in length. At about two o'clock
in the afternoon the captive army advanced througli the
line, led by General O'Harra, who Cornwallis had appointed
as substitute, he pretending sickness. O'Harra, advancing
to the head of the lines, approached General Washington,
and taking off his hat, apologized for the non-appearance of
Earl Cornwallis. With liis usual dignity and politeness,
his Excellency pointed to General Lincoln for directiens ;
by wliom the British army was conducted to the place
where it was intended they should lay down their arms.
It was here, when they came to the last act of the drama,
that the spirit and pride of the British soldier was put to
the severest test, and their mortification and disappoint-
ment could not be concealed. The subjoined epigram
appeared a short time after the surrender :
272 SONGS AND BALLADS.
The Earl Cornwallis, who ought to be civil,
Grows gouty and sore, and sends us the devil ;
For wlio is the leader on us he doth parry,
But Brigadier-general and tory O'Harra.
3 And cas'd the British standard. The terms of capitula-
tion were similar to those granted to General Lincoln, at
Charleston, the preceding year. The troops marched out
with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums beating a
British march. It was very gratifying to General Lincoln
to have assigned him the duty of giving laws to the
haughty army, which a few montlis before had obliged
him to surrender, and of reflecting that the terms which
were imposed on him, were adopted as a basis in the pres-
ent instance.
* By this event effected. This event was looked upon as
the closing scene of the Continental war in America.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA.
1782.
On Thursday night, the nineteenth of December, at 10
o'clock, off the Delaware, the British ships, Quebec, Dio-
mede and Astrea, carrying ninety-eight guns, fell in with
the American ship South Carolina, of forty guns, having
under convoy a ship, brigantine and a schooner, bound
out from Philadelphia. The South Carolina was chased
eighteen hours, when she fired a stern chase at the Dio-
mede, which was returned by one of the latter's bow-guns.
After a running fight of more than two hours, the Ameri-
can colors were struck to the British.
THE LETTER.i
My dear brother Ned,
We are knock'd on the head ;
No more let America boast ;
We may all go to bed,
And that's enough said,
For the South Carolina we've lost.'
THE SOUTH CAROLINA. 273
The pride of our eyes,
I swear is a prize,
You never will see her again,
Unless thro' surprise,
You are brought where she lies,
A prisoner from the false main.
Oh Lord ! what a sight —
I was struck with affright.
When the Diomede's shot round us fell,
I feared that in spite.
They'd have slain us outright.
And sent us directly to h — 1.
The Quebec did fire,
Or I'm a curs'd liar,
And the Astrea came up apace ;
We could not retire.
From the confounded fire.
They all were so eager in chase.
The Diomede's shot
Was damnation hot.
She was several times in a blaze ;
It was not my lot,
To go then to pot.
But I veow, I was struck with amaze.
And Ned, may I die.
Or be pok'd in a sty,
If ever I venture again
Where bullets do fly.
274 SONGS AND BALLADS.
And the wounded do cry
Tormented with anguish and pain.
The Hope, I can tell, ^
And the brig Constance fell,
I swear, and I veow, in our sight ;
The first I can say,
Was taken by day.
But the latter was taken at night.
I die to relate
What has been our fate, ^
How sadly our navies are shrunk ;
The pride of our State,
Begins to abate.
For the branches are lopp'd from the trunk.
The Congress must bend.
We shall fall in the end.
For the curs'd British sarpents are tough ;
But, I think as you find,
I have enough penn'd
Of such cursed, such vexatious stuff.
Yet how vexing to find.
We are left all behind.
That by sad disappointment we're cross'd ;
Ah, fortune unkind !
Thou afflicted'st my mind.
When the South Carolina we lost.
Our enemy vile,
Cunning Digby does smile,
THE SOUTH CAROLINA. 275
Is pleased at our mischance ;
He useth eacli wile,
Our fleets to beguile,
And to check our commerce with France.
No more as a friend,
Our ships to defend.
Of South Carolina we boast ;
As a foe in the end
She will us attend.
For the South Carolina we've lost.
1 Tfie Letter. This ballad appeared in the loj'al papers, as
a letter •' from a dejected Jonathan, a prisoner taken in the
South Carolina, to his brother Ned at Pliiladelphia."
2 For the South Carolina ive've lost. She was bound on a
cruise off Charleston, South Carolina, and was taken the
day after she sailed. She was built in Holland in 1778.
Her keel was about one hundred and sixty feet long:, and
as strong as a castle. Captain Joiner commanded her in this
action. The Americans' loss in killed and wounded was
fourteen, and that of the British very slight. "Fifty
German and eight Britisli soldiers of General Burgoyne's
arm}^ who had been taken out of jail at Philadelphia!^ and
compelled on board the Carolina, rather than submit to be
sold by the rebels, were on this occasion happily released
from a service so obnoxious to their principles." Loyal
prints.
2 The Hope. I can tell. The ship Hope and the brig Con-
stance were the vessels taken in company with the South
Carolina. The little schooner escaped and reached Charles-
ton in safety.
4 What has been our fate. A few days after the action,
the South Carolina arrived at New York and anchored in
the East River. The newspapers of that city, in announc-
ing her arrival, say, that "she was to call at Charleston
and there receive Commodore Gillon on board, but being
imperfectly coppered by the rebels at Philadelphia, it was
judged expedient to alter her destination, and bring her
round to New York to complete her sheathing, only thirteen
feet of which had been performed.*'
276 SONGS AND BALLADS.
THANKSGIVING HYMN.
1783.
The following composition was originally intended to be
sung on the Thanksgiving Day, appointed in consequence of
the ])eace between the United States and Great Britain in
1783, but was not published until some years after that
event. It is a tine specimen of the " j^atriotic hymns and
psalms " of that period.
THANKSGIVING HYMN.
The Lord above, in tender love,
Hath sav'd us from our foes ;
Through Washington the thing is done.
The war is at a close. ^
America has won the day,
Through Washington, our chief ;
Come let's rejoice with heart and voice.
And bid adieu to grief.
Now we have peace, and may increase
In number, wealth, and arts ;
If every one, like Washington,
Will strive to do their parts.
Then let's agree, since we are free.
All needless things to shun ;
And lay aside all pomp and pride.
Like our great Washington.
Use industry, and frugal be.
Like Washington the brave ;
So shall we see, 'twill easy be,
Our country for to save.
THANKSGIVING DAY. 277
From present wars and future foes,
And all that we may fear ;
While Washington, the great brave one,
Shall as our chief appear.
Industry and frugality,
Will all our taxes pay ;
In virtuous ways, we'll spend our days,
And for our rulers pray.^
The Thirteen States, united sets.
In Congress simply grand ;
The Lord himself preserve their health.
That they may rule the land.
Whilst every State, without its mate.
Doth rule itself by laws.
Will sovereign be, and always free ;
To grieve there is no cause.
But all should try, both low and high.
Our freedom to maintain ;
Pray God to bless our grand Congress,
And cease from every sin.
Then sure am I, true liberty
Of every sort will thrive ;
With one accord we'll praise the Lord,
All glory to Him give.
To whom all praise is due always,
For He is all in all ;
George Washington, that noble one,
On His great name doth call.
278 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Our Congress too, before they do,
Acknowledge Him supreme ;
Come let us all before Him fall.
And glorify His name.
1 And for our rulers prmj. From among the hymns
written on the return of peace, we select the following
unique specimen, from a composition by Oliver Arnold,
the author of the parody on the " Banks of the Dee."
" Come, let us shout ! and praise the Lord !
What hath he left undone ?
Let's shout for him, and sing to him,
He gave us Washington !
Let's shout to him, and pray to him,
And pray for Washingion ! "
A FRAGMENT.
1783.
This ballad, by Robert Burns, is familiar to every one.
Chambers, in his Life and Works of the Poet, says, the
production " is curious, as an example of that brief direct
narration in which the rustic mind usually gives its version
of the most complicated political and historical transac-
tions."
A FRAGMENT.
Whex Guildford good our pilot stood,
And did our helm thraw, man,
Ae night, at tea, began a plea,
Within America, man ;
Then up they gat the maskin'-pat.
And in the sea did jaw, man ;
And did nae less, in full Congress,
Than quite refuse our law, man.
Then through the lakes Montgomery takes,
I wat he was na slaw, man ;
A FRAGMENT. 279
Down Lowrie's burn he took a turn,
And Carleton did ca', man ;
But yet, what-reck, he, at Quebec,
Montgomery-like did fa', man,
Wi' sword in hand, before his band,
Amang his enemies a', man.
Poor Tammy Gage, within a cage.
Was kept at Boston ha', man ;
Till Willie Howe took o'er the knowe
For Philadelphia, man ;
Wi' sword and gun he thought a sin
Guid Christian blood to draw, man :
But at New York, wi' knife and fork.
Sir-lion he hacked sma', man.
Burgoyne gaed up, like spur and whip,
Till Fraser brave did fa', man ;
Then lost his way, ae misty day.
In Saratoga shaw, man.
Cornwallis fought as lang's he dough t.
And did the buckskins claw, man ;
But Clinton's glaive frae rust to save,
He hung it to the wa', man.
Then ^Montague, and Guildford too.
Began to fear a fa', man :
And Sackville dour, wha stood the stoure,
The German Chief to thraw, man ;
For Paddy Burke, like ony Turk,
Nae mercy had at a', man ;
And Charlie Fox threw by the box,
And lows'd his tinkler jaw, man.
280 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Then Rockingham took up the game,
Till death did on him ca', man ;
When Shelburne meek held up his cheek,
Conform to gospel law, man ;
Saint Stephen's boys, wi' jarring noise.
They did his measures thraw, man.
For North and Fox united stocks.
And bore him to the wa', man.
Then clubs and hearts were Charlie's cartes,
He swept the stakes awa', man.
Till the diamond's ace, of Indian's race,
Led him a sair faux pas, man ;
The Saxon lads, wi' loud placads.
On Chatham's boy did ca', man ;
And Scotland drew her pipe and blew,
* Up, Willie, waur them a', man ! "
Behind the throne then Grenville's gone,
A secret word or twa, man ;
While slee Dundas aroused the class,
Be-north the Roman wa', man ;
And Chatham's wraith, in heavenly graith,
(Inspired Bardies saw, man)
Wi' kindling eyes cried, ' Willie, rise !
Would I hae fear'd them a', man ? '
But, word and blow, North, Fox and Co.,
Gowff'd Willie like a ba,' man.
Till Southron raise, and coost their clase
Behind him in a raw, man;.^
A SONNET. 281
And Caledon threw by the drone,
And did her whittle draw, man ;
And swoor fu' rude, through dirt and flood,
To make it guid in law, man.
1 A Fragment. This ballad was adapted to the tune Kil-
liecrankie, a Gaelic air, composed, it is said, by the pipe-
major of the old Hio^hland regiment, known to tlie world by
the title of " The XLII. Regiment of Royal Highlanders,"
or as Cook, the celebrated actor, used to style it, " the
brave forty-twa/'
Burns, at the time he wrote these verses, says Chambers,
was in ''in a raw and unenlightened state as a politican."
In a letter to tlie Hon. Henry Erskine, in reference to this
ballad, Burns says, " I showed the enclosed political ballad
to my Lord Glencairn, to have his opinion whether I
should publish it ; as I suspect my political tenets, such as
they are, may be rather heretical' in the opinion of some of
my best friends. I have a few first principles in religion
and politics, which, I believe. I would not easily part with ;
but for all the etiquette of , by whom, in what manner, etc.,
I would not have a dissocial word about it with au}^ one of
God's creatures, particularly an honored patron or a re-
spected friend. His lordship seems to think the piece may
appear in print, but desired me to send you a copy for your
suffrage."
A SONNET.
1783.
The author of these verses. Colonel David Humphreys,^
"the soldier-poet of the revolution," was born at Derby,
Connecticut, in the year 1752, and graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1771.
ON DISBANDING THE ARMY.^
Ye brave Columbian bands ! a long farewell !
Well have ye fought for freedom — nobly done
Your martial task — the meed immortal won —
And Time's last records shall your triumphs tell.
2S2 SONGS AND BALLADS.
Once friendship made their cup of suff 'rings sweet —
The dregs how bitter, now those bands must part !
Ah ! never, never more on earth to meet ;
Distill'd from gall that inundates the heart,
What tears from heroes' eyes are seen to start!
Ye, too, farewell, who fell in fields of gore,
And chang'd tempestuous toil for rest serene ;
Soon shall we join you on the j)eaceful shore,
(Though gulfs irremeable roll between).
Thither by death-tides borne, as ye full soon have
been.
1 David Humphreys. Soon after Humphreys graduated,
he went to reside with Colonel Pliillips, of Phillips Manor,
New York. He joined tlie Continental army, and in 1778
became one of General Putnam's aids, with the rank of
Major. In 1780 he was promoted to be aide-de-camp to
Washington, witli the rank of Colonel. He continued in
the family of the Commander-in-Chief during the war, and
after the resignation of tlie General, accompanied him to
Mount Vernon. For his valor at Yorktown, Congress
honored him with a sword. On the appointment of Mr.
Jefferson, as ambassador to France, Col. Humphreys was
nominated as Secretary to the Legation, and for the first
time left his native country, in 1784. In 1786, he was a
member of the Connecticut Legislature, and about that
time he. Barlow, and Hopkins w^-ote the Anarchiad. In
1790, he was appointed Minister to Portugal, and after-
wards Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain. His literary at-
tainments w^ere considerable. Besides several poems, he
wrote various political pamphlets, and completed a life of
General Putman, which is included in a volume of his
works.
2 071 disbanding the army. It will be difficult for any
person who was not present with the troops at the conclu-
sion of the war, to form an adequate idea of the affecting
circumstances which attended the disbanding of the arm}-.
Note by tlie author of the sonnet.
INDEX.
A Ballad, to the tune of " Smile Britannia," 116.
Adam's Fall, or the Trip to Cambridge, 1775, 83.
Adams, Hannah— Quotation from, 108.
Adams, Samuel— Tory opinions of, 218.
A Fable— A Song, attributed to David Matthews, first Mayor
of New York, 179, 181.
Allen's Biographical Dictionary— a quotation from, 116.
Alphabet for Little Masters and Misses, 74.
American Army— swam over the East River, in the retreat
from Long Island, in 1776, 200.
American Torpedo — account of, 165.
An Affair of Honor between General Robert Howe and Chris-
topher Gadsden, 171.
An Appeal, 214.
Andre, Major John— Cow Chace, 221 ; Notice of the literary
productions of, 232.
Anecdote of the Earl of Darmouth and an American in Lon-
don, 150.
A New Ballad, 1779. 196.
A. New War Song, by Sir Peter Parker, 108.
A Prophecy, or the old year and the new, 1779, 186.
Archer, Henry— author of the song "Volunteer Bovs ; " notices
of, 211, 213.
Arnold, Benedict— poetical address to, 1780, 246.
Arnold, Oliver— Parody on the " Banks of the Dee ;" notice of;
anecdote of 70 ; quotation from, 278.
A Song, written by a Refugee, on reading the King's speech,
190.
Banks of the Dee— origin of the song, 67, 68 ; Robert Burns'
remarks on, 68 ; Oliver Arnold's Parody on, 69.
Barlow, Joel— quotation from, 80 ; notice of, 70.
Battle of the Kegs, 159 ; sung in Washington's armj', 160 ;
prose accounts of, both whig and loyal, 163.
Billings, William, first native writer of'music in America ; ac-
count of, 181.
Boston Gazette — notice of, 38 ; Liberty Song published in, 38.
Boston, Mass. — British took possession of in 1774, 28 ; Stamp
Office destroyed in, 27 ; Clergy and selectmen of, parade
the streets after a crucifix, 216.
Breed's Hill — notice of, 80 ; Epigram published shortly after
the battle of, 82.
Britain — Lines addressed to, 127.
British Light Infantry, a Song, 1.56 ; Address of, to General
Washington, 170.
Burgoyne, John — Impromptu on the departure of, from Eng-
land for America, 89 ; poetical version of the Proclamation
of, 129 ; quotation from, 135 ; the fate of, 142 ; overthrow
of, 145, 146 ; anecdote concerning the surrender of, 150.
283
284 INDEX.
Burke, Edmund— quotation from, 159.
Burns, Robert— A Fragment by, 278 ; his opinion of it, 281 ;
Remarks on the song, " Banks of the Dee ; " a quotation
from, 68.
Bushnell, David, inventor of the American torpedo, 159 ; notice
of his inventions, 165.
Bute, Earl of~a hoot, the emblem of, suspended to Liberty
Tree, 1765, 25 ; verses on, 35.
Burrowing Yankees, 103 ; newspaper criticism on, 104.
Castle Island, notice of, 52 ; song composed at, 49.
Champe, Sergeant John, the adventure of, 237.
Charleston, S. C— Liberty tree consecrated at, 28 ; the reduc-
tion of in 1780 ; song about, 217.
Charlestown, Mass.— Liberty tree consecrated at, 28 ; the burn-
ing of, 80.
Chester, a Hymn— sung by the New England soldiers in the
Southern States, 181.
Cider Tax— the repeal of, 32.
Clinton, Sir Henry— Impromptu on the departure of, for Amer-
ica, 89 ; at the attack on Sullivan's Island, 110.
Clinton, Sir Henry— Invitation to the Refugees, a song, 194.
Colden, Cadwallader— Address to the New York Assembly,
1775, 64.
Collinet and Phebe, a song, 92.
Commons— Verses to the, 112.
Concord— Account of the battle at ; Anecdote of, 79 ; Puns
upon the word, 82.
Cornwallis, Lord— the campaign of, 267 ; anecdote of, 271 ; ac-
count of his surrender, 271 ; Epigram on, 272.
Cow Chace, a song commemorating the attack of General
Wayne upon the Refugees' block-house, in 1780, 221 ; poet-
ical endorsement on the original manuscript, 2f?3.
Credulity — extract from a letter written a short time after the
battle of Trenton, 126.
Dance, the— commemorating the campaign of Lord Cornwallis,
267.
Dartmouth, Ship— arrives at Boston with a cargo of tea, 55.
Dartmouth, Earl of, anecdote of, 150.
Daughters of Liberty hold a meeting at Boston, 48.
Dearborn, Benjamin, notice of— verses composed by, 96.
De Retz, Cardinal— notice of, 38.
D'Estaing, Count— at Rhode Island, 175 ; censured for the con-
duct of the French fleet, 1778, 178 ;at Savannah in 1779, 201.
Dickinson, John— notice of, 41.
Dorchester Heights— Americans take possession of, 101.
Dunmore, Earl of— notice of, 61,
Dutch Song, written at the Hague, 1779, 208.
Elliot, Bernard— notice of, 174.
Epigrams— on the battle of Breed's Hill, 82 : on the Hessian
standards taken at Trenton, 120.
Epilogue, the — remarks on, 167, 170.
Erskine, Sir William— notice of, 165.
Etiquette, the — a song, 198.
INDEX. 285
Extempore, published in 1779, 197.
Fish and Tea— a new song to an old tune, 88.
Franklin, William — Address to the Legislature of New Jersey,
1775, 64.
Freeman's Journal— notice of, 112; quotations from, 101, 104, 107.
French, Dr., of Rockingham, Vermont, notice of, 213.
French, Jonathan, of Andover, Mass., notice of, 213.
Freneau, Philip— notice of. 187.
Gadsden, Christopher — an affair of honor with General Robert
Howe, 171 ; notice of, 174.
Gage, Thomas— appointed governor of Massachusetts ; issues
a proclamation ; poetical version of it, 58 ; notice of, 60.
Garrick, David, composer of the song " Heai'ts of Oak," 46.
George the Third's ISoliloquy, by Philip Freneau, 1779, 187.
Gerard M. — Account of his reception by the Continental Con-
gress, in 1778, as Minister from France, 177 — Rivington's
remarks upon the ceremony, 178.
Glass— The people of Boston resolve not to import, 47.
Greene, General, at Rhode Island in 1778, 178.
Grenville, George — quotation from his speech ; acquires the
nickname of " Gentle Shepherd," 32, 36 ; verses on, 32.
Hale, Nathan— account of the capture and death of, 104 ; notice
of, 107 ; quotation in reference to, 107.
Hancock John — in command of the Massachusetts militia at
Rhode Island, 1778, 178 ; tory opinions of him, 218.
"Hearts of Oak"— origin of, 46 ; The American, 86.
Henry, Patrick— quotation from, 60.
Hessian standards taken at Trenton— account of epigram on,.
120.
Hessians— quotation from the Freeman's Journal, in reference
to their expert use of fire-arms, 101.
Hewlings, J. \V. — notice of, 86.
Holt's Gazette— lines quoted from, 25.
Hopkinson, Francis— notice of, 129.
Howe, Robert— an affair of honor, with Christopher Gadsden,,
171 ; biographical notice of, 174.
Howe, Sir Yf illiam — impromptu on the departure of, for Am-
erica, 89 ; at Philadelphia, 165.
Humphreys, David — quotation from, 153 ; sonnet by, 281 ; bio-
graphical notice of, 282.
Hunting Shirts and Rifle Guns— description of, 153.
Hutchinson, Thomas— Chief Justice of Massachusetts ; notice
of, 27 ; recalled to England, 58.
Independence— a song on, by J. M. Sewall, 1776, 114.
Iris, the— quotation from, 144.
Irishman's Epistle to the troops in Boston, 1775, 77.
Jasper, Sergeant William— bravery of, at the defence of Sul-
livan's Island, 110.
Jerseys, the— a parody on the "Watery God," 217.
Killiecrankie — the origin of the tune, 281.
King's Mountain— the battle of, 247 ; situation of, 249.
Ladies, the — A poetical appeal to the, 47.
T-ifoTTotto. r{.p.neral. at Rhode Island, in 1778, 178.
286 INDEX.
Lee, Arthur— bio^aphical notice of, 41.
Lee, Charles— biographical notice of, 63 ; Mrs. Mercy "Warren's
opinion of, and Paine's remarks about, 64 ; taken prisoner,
134.
Lee, Ezra— notice of his experiment with the American Tor-
pedo ; biographical notice of, 166.
Letter from a dejected Jonathan, a prisoner taken in the ship
South Carolina, to his brother Ned, at Philadelphia, 272.
Lexington, Mass.— Liberty Tree at, 28 ; battle of, 79.
Liberty Song, by John Dickinson and Arthur Lee, 1768, 38 ;
sung in the streets of Boston, 41 ; a parody on, 42.
Liberty Tree— a song, 25 ; description of the one consecrated
at Boston, 27 ; destroyed in 1774, 28 ; verses suspended on,
in 1766, 36.
Liberty trees, consecrated at Charlestown, Lexington, and
Roxbury, Mass. ; also in Charleston, S. C, Newport and
Providence, R. I., 28.
Liberty's Call— authorship of, 71.
'Lincoln, General, at Savannah, in 1777, 201.
Livingston, H. B.— at Rhode Island in 1778, 178.
Loring, Joshua — notice of, 165.
Loyal York — a song attributed to James Rivington, 64.
Macaulay, T. B. — quotation from, 35.
Maitland, Colonel— notice of, 204.
Maryland Resolves— song on the, 61 ; notice of, 61 ; anecdote
of, 63.
Mason, John— notice of, 71, 73 ; his advertisement in the Penn-
syvlania Packet, 74.
Massacre of the Fifth of March in Boston— an account of, 50 ;
notice of a picture of the scene, by Paul Revere, 51 ; verses
upon, .51.
Mather, Moses, D.D. ; notice of, 266.
Mathews David, Mayor of New York— a song written by, 181.
Middlesex, county of, in Virginia— loyalty of many of the inha-
bitants of ; verses on, composed by a lady of Pennsylvania,
61.
Middlesex, the descent on— account of, 257.
Ministry, the— degradation of, in the Colonies, 35.
Moultrie, William— anecdote of ; quotation from his address to
the troops, the day after Sir Peter Parker's attack on Sulli-
van's Island, 110.
Murray John, Earl of Dunmore— notice of, 61.
New Jersey Journal— quotations from, 110, 142.
New Jersey — lines addressed to the women of, 219.
Newport, R. I. — Libert v Tree consecrated at, 28.
New Year's Day, 1781, 252.
Northampton, Virginia— celebration of the repeal of the Stamp
Act at, 28.
North Campaign, 136.
North's Recantation, a song, 183.
Off from Boston, or the Military Song, 99.
O'Hara, General, appointed by Cornwallis to surrender to the
Americans ; Epigram on it, 271.
INDEX. 287
Oliver, Andrew— stamp distributor in 1765 ; eflBgyof, suspended
to Liberty tree, 27 ; resigns his office, 27.
Otis, James— quotation from Tudor 's Life of, 28, 38.
Our Women — lines addressed to the women of Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, 219.
Paine, Thomas— editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine ; author
of Liberty Tree Song, 25.
Parker, Sir Peter— a song attributed to, 108 ; account of his
attack on Sullivan's Island, in 1776— wounded in the action ;
sails for New York, 109.
Parody Parodized, or the Massachusetts Liberty Song, 44.
Patriot Dinner— description of, 86.
Paulding, John, a ballad, 233.
Pennsylvania Ledger— song published in, 150.
Pennsylvania, lines addressed to the women of, 219.
Pennsylvania Magazine ; notice of, 25.
Pennsylvania Packet— quotation from, 213.
Pennsylvania Song, 76.
Pennsylvania— verses by a lady of, 61.
Pigot, Sir Robert, at Rhode Island, in 1718, 178.
Pinckney, Charles C— notice of, 175.
Pope's Second Pastoral, — a parody on, 32.
Prayer for the Times, 1776, 101.
Present Age, The, 1779, 249.
Preston, J. T. Account of the battle of King's Mountain, 249.
Prevost, General— notice of, 204.
Providence, R. I. — Liberty tree consecrated at, 28.
Pulaski, Count — biographical notice of, 204 ; he cuts off the head
of an " honest member " of the Continental Congress, 216.
Retrospect, an anthem from sundry Scriptures, 183.
Revere, Paul — notice of his representation of the Boston mas-
sacre, 51.
Rivington, James — notice of, 168 ; remarks of, on the reception
of M. Gerard, the French ambassador, by the Contiiiental
Congress, 178 ; quotations from, 216.
Rogers, Jeremiah Dummer — notice of, 24.
Roxbury. Mass. — Liberty tree consecrated at, 28.
St. John (Sention), Peter— notices of, 13, 136, 258.
St. Leger— pronunciation of, 142.
Sandwich, Lord — called " Jemmy Twitcher," 35.
Saratoga Song, 136.
Savannah — a new song about, 205 ; account of the siege of, 204,
Sears, Isaac— notice of, 66.
Sewall, J. M.— biographical notice of, 116.
Shenstone's Lyrics— quotation from, 69.
" Singing Master's Assistant ''—quotation from, 182, 183.
Smyth, Captain, of the Queen's Rangers— a poet of the revolu-
tion, 150.
Song for the Red Coats, 136.
Sonnet on disbanding the army, 281.
South Carolina, the ship— capture of, by the British, in 1782,
271.
2S8 INDEX. X
Stamp Act— arrival of the news of the passage of, 24 ; repealed,
28.
Stamp Office destroyed at Boston, 27.
Sullivan, General— a song sung before, at Portsmouth, N. H.,
after the battle of Trenton, 128 ; at Rhode Island, 175.
Sullivan's Island — its situation ; account of attack upon, 109.
Tar and feathers, the application of, to refractory loyalists, 155.
Taxation of America, 1765, 13.
Tea — proceedings relative to the importation of, 51 ; people of
Boston resolve not to import, 47 ; destroyed at Boston, 52 ;
song about its destruction, 52 : anecdote relating to the
destruction of, 53; V^irginia Banishing, 54; a "blasted
herb,'' 56 ; anecdote of the use of, 55.
Tea-Table, a lady's adieu to her, 54.
Thacher's Military Journal— quotations from, 64, 150, 159, 165.
Thanksgiving Hymn, 1783, 276.
The Blasted Herb, 56.
The Gamester, a new song, 146.
The Gentle Shepherd, 32 ; nickname of George Grenville, 32.
The Halcyon Days of Old England, a song, 153 ; attributed to
Arthur Lee, 155,
The Heads, or the year 1776, 120.
The Old Man's Song on the public spirit of the women, 157.
The Old Woman taught Wisdom, or the world turned upside
down, 36.
The Prophetic Egg— account of ; lines upon, 125.
The Rebels a song, by Capt. Smyth, of the Queen's Rangers, 150.
The Recess, a song, 206 ; criticism on, 208.
The Soldier at Home, a song, 255.
The Times, a song, 1776, 90 ; additional stanza, published in
1777, 92.
Trenton, Battle of, 118.
Tudor's Life of Otis— quotation from, 28.
Twitcher, Jemmy — nickname of Lord Sandwich, 35.
IJpham, Colonel— quotation from a letter from, to Governor
Franklin, of New Jersey, 266.
Verses, copied from a diary kept during the Revolution, 159.
Verses, suspended on Liberty tree, in 1766, 36.
Virginia— the people of, resist the acts of Parliament, 61 ; a
specimen of " cowardice " from, 114.
Virginia Gazette— quotation from, 79.
Volunteer Boys, a song — origin of, 211.
War Song printed at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1776, 94.
Washington, George — appointed commander-in-chief of the
troops raised for the defence of the United Colonies ; joins
the army at Cambridge, 1775 ; loyal account of his journey ;
quotation from his address to the^arm;^, S}^ marches into
Boston, 1776, 101. Xl ]j ^ l, 3 Ut
Wayne, General— account** ifis attacK onTheTfefugees' block-
house, 1780, 232.
Weare Meshech— notice of, 56.
Women of 1776— anecdote of the, 94. ■ ■ i
Yankees, Burrowing, a song, 103. . ^JuQ ''H
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