The Liberty Song

Last updated

"The Liberty Song" is a pre-American Revolutionary War song with lyrics by Founding Father John Dickinson [1] (not by Mrs. Mercy Otis Warren of Plymouth, Massachusetts). [2] The song is set to the tune of "Heart of Oak", the anthem of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The song itself was first published in two colonial newspapers, the Pennsylvania Journal and the Pennsylvania Gazette , both on July 7, 1768. [3]

Contents

History

The song is notable as one of the earliest patriotic songs in the Thirteen Colonies. Dickinson's seventh verse offers the earliest known publication of the phrase that parallels the motto "united we stand, divided we fall", a patriotic slogan that has prominently appeared several times throughout U.S. history.

The song is also likely to be a variant of the Irish traditional song from which it often takes its tune, "Here's a Health".[ citation needed ] The lyrics of "The Liberty Song" also hold the same structure.

The lyrics of the song were updated in 1770 to reflect the growing tensions between England and the Colonies. This new version was published in Bickerstaff's almanac, and the title was changed to "The Massachusetts Song of Liberty". [4]

Lyrics

Original version

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;
Threw' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came,
And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame

Chorus

How sweet are the labors that free men endure,
that men shall enjoy the sweet profit secure.
No more sweet labors Americans know,
If British shall reap what Americans sow.

Chorus

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd,
So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd;
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

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 defend.

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.

Chorus

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

1770 version

Come swallow your bumpers, ye Tories, and roar,
That the sons of fair freedom are hampered once more;
But know that no cut-throats our spirits can tame,
Nor a host of oppressors shall smother the flame.

Chorus:
In Freedom we're born, and, like sons of the brave,
Will never surrender, But swear to defend her;
And scorn to survive, if unable to save.

Related Research Articles

"Heart of Oak" is the official march of the Royal Navy. It is also the official march of several Commonwealth navies, including the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy. It was the official march of the Royal Australian Navy, but has now been replaced by the new march, "Royal Australian Navy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Hymn of the Republic</span> 1862 American song by Julia Ward Howe

The "Battle Hymn of the Republic", also known as "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" or "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" outside of the United States, is an American patriotic song that was written by abolitionist writer Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War.

"Croppies Lie Down" is an Irish folk song, dating from the 1798 rebellion in Ireland, that celebrates the defeat of the Irish rebels. The author has been reported as George Watson-Taylor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sash</span> Irish Loyalist Ballad

"The Sash" is a ballad from the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland commemorating the victory of King William III in the Williamite War in Ireland in 1690–1691. The lyrics mention the 1689 Siege of Derry, the 1689 Battle of Newtownbutler near Enniskillen, the 1691 Battle of Aughrim, and the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. It is popular amongst Ulster loyalists and many other unionists in Northern Ireland, it also remains a popular folk ballad in parts of Ireland and Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hail, Columbia</span> American patriotic song

"Hail, Columbia" is an American patriotic song and ceremonial entrance march of the vice president of the United States. It was originally considered to be one of the unofficial national anthems of the United States until 1931, when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was named as the official national anthem. Columbia is the name for the national personification of the United States which originated during the 18th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Cry of Freedom</span> 1862 song by George Frederick Root

The "Battle Cry of Freedom", also known as "Rally 'Round the Flag", is a song written in 1862 by American composer George Frederick Root (1820–1895) during the American Civil War. A patriotic song advocating the causes of Unionism and abolitionism, it became so popular that composer H. L. Schreiner and lyricist W. H. Barnes adapted it for the Confederacy.

"The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning" is a hymn of the Latter Day Saint movement. It was written by W. W. Phelps, one of the most prolific hymnwriters of early Latter Day Saint movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bonnie Blue Flag</span> 1861 American marching song

"The Bonnie Blue Flag", also known as "We Are a Band of Brothers", is an 1861 marching song associated with the Confederate States of America. The words were written by the entertainer Harry McCarthy, with the melody taken from the song "The Irish Jaunting Car". The song's title refers to the unofficial first flag of the Confederacy, the Bonnie Blue Flag. The left flag on the sheet-music is the Bonnie Blue Flag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marching Through Georgia</span> 1865 song

"Marching Through Georgia" is a marching song written by Henry Clay Work at the end of the American Civil War in 1865. The title and lyrics of the song refer to U.S. Army major general William T. Sherman's "March to the Sea" to capture the Confederate city of Savannah, Georgia in late 1864.

The Hymn of San Marino, also known Giubilanti d'amore fraterno and Antico Inno Patrio, was a de facto national anthem of San Marino until 1894, with music by Ulisse Balsimelli and lyrics by Aurelio Muccioli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The U.S. Air Force (song)</span> Official song of the United States Air Force

"The U.S. Air Force" is the official song of the United States Air Force, adopted in the late 1940s, and is often referred to as "Wild Blue Yonder".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chant du départ</span> French revolutionary and war song

"Le Chant du départ" is a revolutionary and war song written by Étienne Méhul (music) and Marie-Joseph Chénier (words) in 1794. It was the official anthem of the French Empire, and it is currently the unofficial regional anthem of French Guiana and the presidential anthem of France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Before the Battle, Mother</span>

"Just before the Battle, Mother" was a popular song during the American Civil War, particularly among troops in the Union Army. It was written and published by Chicago-based George F. Root. It was also a popular song with adherents of the Primrose League in England, and was a central part of Victoria Day celebrations in Canada during the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries.

War and Washington was a song written during the American Revolution by Jonathan M. Sewall. To be sung to the tune of The British Grenadiers the verses are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!</span> 1874 song by George F. Root

"Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! " was one of the most popular songs of the American Civil War. George F. Root wrote both the words and music and published it in 1864 to give hope to the Union prisoners of war. The song is written from the prisoner's point of view. The chorus tells his fellow prisoners that hope is coming. A Confederate version and various other versions have been made.

The lyrics to the song "Slattery's Mounted Foot" were written in 1889 by the 19th century Irish musician Percy French. The song is representative of French's comic works. The tune of the chorus differs from that of the main lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bold Canadian</span> Canadian patriotic song

"The Bold Canadian" was a patriotic song for Canadians that originated during the War of 1812. It celebrated the conquering of Detroit in Michigan Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valeureux Liégeois</span>

Valeureux Liégeois is a patriotic song written in 1790 by Abbot Gilles-Joseph-Evrard Ramoux in the town of Liège at a time when the Liège Revolution was threatened by Austrian forces seeking the restoration of the Prince-bishop César-Constantin-François de Hoensbroeck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your King and Country Need You (Pelham)</span>

Several different recruiting songs with the name "Your King and Country Want/Need You" were popularised in Britain at the beginning of the First World War. Your King and Country Need You was a popular song and recitation, with words by Paul Pelham, and music by W. H. Wallis and Fred Elton, published in London at the start of the war in 1914 by Lawrence Wright Music. It was written as a recruiting song with the aim of persuading men to volunteer to fight in the War. Half the profits on the first 100,000 copies were to be given to the "H.R.H. Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund".

Singing the Living Tradition is a hymnal published by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

References

  1. [Music for Patriotis, Politicians, and Presidents, (26) Vera Brodsky Lawrence, 1975]
  2. [The History of American Music, (141) Louis C. Elson, 1904]
  3. Andrlik, Todd (March 12, 2014). "John Dickinson's Hit Single: Liberty Song". Journal of the American Revolution.
  4. [The History of American Music, (142) Louis C. Elson, 1904]