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