The Liberty Song
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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]
Lyrics
- 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)