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Poem
July 1, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A patriotic song from the musical interlude 'The Election,' celebrating British liberty and refusing to trade freedoms for wealth or hire, with the refrain 'Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!'
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
A SONG.
From a new musical interlude called the ELECTION.
WHILST happy in my native land,
I'll never basely lend my hand
Her liberties to barter.
The noble mind is not at all
By poverty degraded;
'Tis guilt alone can make us fall,
And well I am persuaded,
Each free-born Briton's song should be
"Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!"
Tho' small the power which fortune grants,
And few the gifts she sends us,
The lordly hireling often wants
That freedom which defends us.
By law secured from lawless strife,
Our house is our castle:
Thus blest with all that's dear in life,
For lucre shall we sell 'em?
No; every Briton's song should be,
"Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!"
A SONG.
From a new musical interlude called the ELECTION.
WHILST happy in my native land,
I'll never basely lend my hand
Her liberties to barter.
The noble mind is not at all
By poverty degraded;
'Tis guilt alone can make us fall,
And well I am persuaded,
Each free-born Briton's song should be
"Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!"
Tho' small the power which fortune grants,
And few the gifts she sends us,
The lordly hireling often wants
That freedom which defends us.
By law secured from lawless strife,
Our house is our castle:
Thus blest with all that's dear in life,
For lucre shall we sell 'em?
No; every Briton's song should be,
"Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Independence
Patriotism
Political
What keywords are associated?
Liberty
Britain
Election
Freedom
Patriotism
Death Or Liberty
Poem Details
Subject
From A New Musical Interlude Called The Election
Key Lines
Each Free Born Briton's Song Should Be
"Or Give Me Death Or Liberty!"
No; Every Briton's Song Should Be,
"Or Give Me Death Or Liberty!"