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Poem February 11, 1788

The Daily Advertiser

New York, New York County, New York

What is this article about?

A patriotic song from the Pennsylvania Gazette celebrating the formation of the U.S. federal government through the metaphor of mechanicks raising a building roof, symbolizing unity, strength, and freedom for citizens.

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From the Pennsylvania Gazette.

THE RAISING
A new SONG for Federal Mechanicks

COME muster my Lads, your mechanical Tools,
Your Saws and your Axes, your Hammers and
Rules;
Bring your Mallets and Planes, your Level & Line,
A colony of Pins of American Pine;
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
A Government firm, and our Citizens Free.

II.
Come, up with the Plates, lay them firm on the Wall.
Like the People at large, they're the Ground-work
of all;
Examine them well, and see that they're sound,
Let no rotten Parts in our building be found;
For our Roof we will raise and our Song still shall be,
Our Government firm, and our Citizens Free.

III.
Now hand up the Girders, lay each in his Place,
Between them the Joists must divide all the Space;
Like Assembly-men there should lie level along,
Like Girders, our Senate prove loyal and strong;
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
A Government firm, our Citizens Free.

IV.
The Rafters now frame---your King Posts and Braces,
And drive your Pins home, to keep all in their Places;
Let Wisdom and Strength in the Fabric combine,
And your Pins be all made of American Pine;
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
A Government firm, our Citizens free.

V.
Our King-Posts are Judges---how upright they stand,
Supporting the Braces, the Laws of the Land---
The Laws of the Land, which divide Right from
Wrong;
And strengthen the Weak, by weakening the Strong;
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
Laws equal and just, for a People that's free.

VI.
Up! Up with the Rafter---each frame is a State!
How nobly they rise! their Span, too, how great!
From the North to the South, o'er the Whole they
extend,
And rest on the Walls, while the Walls they defend!
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
Confined in Strength, yet as Citizens free.

VII.
Now enter the Purlins, and drive your Pins through,
And see that your Joints are drawn home, and all
true;
The Purlins will bind all the Rafters together,
The Strength of the Whole shall defy Wind and
Weather;
For our Roof we will raise, and our Song still shall be,
United as States, but as Citizens free.

VIII.
Come, raise up the Turret---our Glory and Pride---
In the Centre it stands, o'er the Whole to preside;
The Sons of Columbia shall view with Delight
Its Pillars and Arches, and towering Height;
Our Roof is now rais'd, and our Song still shall be,
A Federal Head, o'er a People still free.

IX.
Huzza! my brave Boys, our Work is complete,
The World shall admire Columbia's fair Seat;
Its Strength against Tempest and Time shall be
Proof.
And Thousands shall come to dwell under our Roof.
Whilst we drain the deep Bowl, our Toast still shall be,
Our Government firm, and our Citizens free.

What sub-type of article is it?

Song Ballad

What themes does it cover?

Patriotism Political Liberty Independence

What keywords are associated?

Federal Government American Unity Building Metaphor Citizens Free Columbia Pride Mechanicks Song

What entities or persons were involved?

From The Pennsylvania Gazette

Poem Details

Title

The Raising A New Song For Federal Mechanicks

Author

From The Pennsylvania Gazette

Subject

Celebrating The Federal Government

Form / Style

Rhymed Stanzas In Common Meter

Key Lines

For Our Roof We Will Raise, And Our Song Still Shall Be, A Government Firm, And Our Citizens Free. Our King Posts Are Judges How Upright They Stand, Supporting The Braces, The Laws Of The Land Up! Up With The Rafter Each Frame Is A State! How Nobly They Rise! Their Span, Too, How Great! The Purlins Will Bind All The Rafters Together, The Strength Of The Whole Shall Defy Wind And Weather; Huzza! My Brave Boys, Our Work Is Complete, The World Shall Admire Columbia's Fair Seat;

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