The Liberty Song

John Dickinson

The Liberty Song, first published in 1768, is known as the first piece of music from the time of the American Revolution. It was composed by Founding Father John Dickinson,^[1] though sometimes it is misattributed to Mercy Otis Warren.^[2]

The song holds the tune of Hearts of Oak.^[3]

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.

(Chorus:)

In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.

Our purses are ready-

Steady, friends, steady;

Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy forefathers (let's give them a cheer)

To climates unknown did courageously steer;

Through oceans to deserts for Freedom they came,

And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.

(Chorus)

Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,

So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they prized;

We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,

Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.

(Chorus)

The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd,

They lived to behold growing strong and revered;

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

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

(Chorus)

How sweet are the labours that freemen endure,

That they shall enjoy all the profit, secure-

No more such sweet labours Americans know

If Britons shall reap what Americans sow.

(Chorus)

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 spend.

(Chorus)

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 Freedom more dreadful than pain.

(Chorus)

This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health,

And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;

That wealth and that glory immortal may be,

If She is but Just, and if we are but Free.

(Chorus)