The Liberty Song

Words by John Dickinson, 1768; tune "Heart of Oak" by William Boyce, 1759

1. 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.

2. 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.

Chorus

3. 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."

Chorus

View the published score.

4. 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

5. All ages shall speak with amaze and applause
Of the courage we show in support of our laws;
To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain,
For shame is to Freemen more dreadful than pain.

Chorus

6. 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

 

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