10

A SONG

[1774]

To the tune of "The Echoing Horn."
[Pennsylvania Journal, May 31, 1775.]

Hark! 'tis Freedom that 'calls, come, patriots, awake!

To arms, my brave boys, and away: 'Tis Honour, 'tis Virtue, 'tis Liberty calls, And upbraids the too tedious delay. What pleasure we find in pursuing our foes, 5 Thro' blood and thro' carnage we'll fly; Then follow, we'll soon overtake them, huzza!

The tyrants are seized on, they die.

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,

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25

30

Nor slaves nor cowards we will prove,

Great Britain soon shall see.

Though each of his foes were like Hercules brave,

While their efforts are tending a land to enslave,

With contempt he beholds th' unsoldierly stain,

And courts the fierce combat, and speedy campaign.

15

Should their number, the legions of Xerxes surpass;