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Poem
February 24, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A Revolutionary War-era patriotic song mocking Britain's failed attempts to suppress the American colonies, praising George Washington and the fight for freedom against King George III.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A New SONG.
[To the Tune of the BRITISH GRENADIERS.]
VAIN Britain’s, boast no longer with proud indignity, By land----your conquering legions----your matchless strength at sea! Since WE your brave sons, incens’d, our swords have girded on, Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, for WAR and WASHINGTON!
Urg’d on by North and vengeance, these valiant champions came, Loud bellowing TEA and TREASON! and GEORGE was all on flame! Yet sacrilegious as it seems---we REBELS still live on--- And laugh at all your empty puffs, and so does WASHING-TON!
Still deaf to mild entreaties---still blind to England’s good, You have for thirty pieces---betray’d your country’s blood; Like Æsop’s greedy Cur, you’ll gain a shadow for your bone, Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspir’d by WASHING-TON!
Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible! The blundering schemes of Britain, their folly, pride, and zeal Like lions how ye growl, and threat! mere asses have ye shown, And ye shall share an ass’s fate, and drudge for WASHING-TON!
Your dark, unfathom’d councils---our weakest heads defeat, Our children rout your armies---our boats destroy your fleet! And to complete the dire disgrace, coo’p’d up within a town, You live the scorn of all our host! the slaves of WASHING-TON!
Great Heav’n! is this the nation---whose thund’ring arms were hurl’d Thro’ Europe, Afric, India? Whose navy rul’d a world? The lustre of your former deeds---whole ages of renown--- Lost! in a moment---or transfer’d to US and WASHINGTON.
Yet think not thirst of glory---un-sheaths our vengeful swords, To rend your bands asunder---and cast away your cords--- ’Tis Heav’n-born FREEDOM fires us all---and strengthen each brave son From him who humbly guides the plough to god-like WASH-INGTON!
For THIS---O could our wishes your ancient rage inspire! Your armies should be doubled---in numbers, force, and fire! Then might the glorious conflict prove, which best deserv’d the boon- America or Albion---a GEORGE or WASHINGTON!
Fir’d with the great idea---our father’s shades would rise! To view the stern contention---the Gods desert their skies--- And Wolfe, and hosts of heroes, superior, bending down Cry out, with eager transport---Well done, brave WASHING-TON!
Should GEORGE, too choice of Britons---to foreign realms apply And madly arm half Europe---yet still we could defy Turk, Russ, Jew, and Infidel, or all those pow’rs in one--- While HANCOCK crowns our Senate our Camp great WASHINGTON.
Tho’ warlike weapons fail’d us---disdaining slavish fears--- To swords we’d beat our plough-shares---our pruning hooks to spears--- And rush all desp’rate! on our foe! nor breathe till battle won; Then shout and shout, AMERICA! and conqu’ring WASH-INGTON!
Proud France should view with terror---and haughty Spain should fear While ev’ry warlike nation---would court alliance here And GEORGE, his minions trembling round, dismounted from his Throne, Pay homage to AMERICA and glorious WASHINGTON.
[To the Tune of the BRITISH GRENADIERS.]
VAIN Britain’s, boast no longer with proud indignity, By land----your conquering legions----your matchless strength at sea! Since WE your brave sons, incens’d, our swords have girded on, Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, for WAR and WASHINGTON!
Urg’d on by North and vengeance, these valiant champions came, Loud bellowing TEA and TREASON! and GEORGE was all on flame! Yet sacrilegious as it seems---we REBELS still live on--- And laugh at all your empty puffs, and so does WASHING-TON!
Still deaf to mild entreaties---still blind to England’s good, You have for thirty pieces---betray’d your country’s blood; Like Æsop’s greedy Cur, you’ll gain a shadow for your bone, Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspir’d by WASHING-TON!
Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible! The blundering schemes of Britain, their folly, pride, and zeal Like lions how ye growl, and threat! mere asses have ye shown, And ye shall share an ass’s fate, and drudge for WASHING-TON!
Your dark, unfathom’d councils---our weakest heads defeat, Our children rout your armies---our boats destroy your fleet! And to complete the dire disgrace, coo’p’d up within a town, You live the scorn of all our host! the slaves of WASHING-TON!
Great Heav’n! is this the nation---whose thund’ring arms were hurl’d Thro’ Europe, Afric, India? Whose navy rul’d a world? The lustre of your former deeds---whole ages of renown--- Lost! in a moment---or transfer’d to US and WASHINGTON.
Yet think not thirst of glory---un-sheaths our vengeful swords, To rend your bands asunder---and cast away your cords--- ’Tis Heav’n-born FREEDOM fires us all---and strengthen each brave son From him who humbly guides the plough to god-like WASH-INGTON!
For THIS---O could our wishes your ancient rage inspire! Your armies should be doubled---in numbers, force, and fire! Then might the glorious conflict prove, which best deserv’d the boon- America or Albion---a GEORGE or WASHINGTON!
Fir’d with the great idea---our father’s shades would rise! To view the stern contention---the Gods desert their skies--- And Wolfe, and hosts of heroes, superior, bending down Cry out, with eager transport---Well done, brave WASHING-TON!
Should GEORGE, too choice of Britons---to foreign realms apply And madly arm half Europe---yet still we could defy Turk, Russ, Jew, and Infidel, or all those pow’rs in one--- While HANCOCK crowns our Senate our Camp great WASHINGTON.
Tho’ warlike weapons fail’d us---disdaining slavish fears--- To swords we’d beat our plough-shares---our pruning hooks to spears--- And rush all desp’rate! on our foe! nor breathe till battle won; Then shout and shout, AMERICA! and conqu’ring WASH-INGTON!
Proud France should view with terror---and haughty Spain should fear While ev’ry warlike nation---would court alliance here And GEORGE, his minions trembling round, dismounted from his Throne, Pay homage to AMERICA and glorious WASHINGTON.
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Independence
Political
War Military
What keywords are associated?
American Revolution
Washington Praise
British Mockery
Freedom Song
George Iii
Rebel Victory
Poem Details
Title
A New Song.
Subject
Patriotic Support For American Revolution And Washington
Form / Style
To The Tune Of The British Grenadiers, Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, For War And Washington!
’Tis Heav’n Born Freedom Fires Us All And Strengthen Each Brave Son From Him Who Humbly Guides The Plough To God Like Wash Ington!
Then Might The Glorious Conflict Prove, Which Best Deserv’d The Boon America Or Albion A George Or Washington!
Pay Homage To America And Glorious Washington.