Digital Tradition Mirror

The Liberty Song

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Liberty Song
(ohn Dickenson)

Come join hand in hand, brave Americans call,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call.
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Or stain with dlishonor America's name.

cho: 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 bequeathed us their freedom and fame.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despised,
So highly, so wisely, their birthright they prized.
We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,
Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.

The Tree their own hands had to liberty reared
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.

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 will spend.

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.

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.

Note: A Colonial (1768) parody of Hearts of Oak. Note last verse's
     hedging on full independence. RG
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!