The Hillsborough Recorder

INDEPENDENCE.

BY S. WOODWORTH.

Freemen arise, and salute the glad morning,
The morning most dear to the patriot's breast!
Hail, hail to the day which is now brightly dawning,
The day of all others most hallow'd and blest!
Long may it live in our mem'ry revered,
The pride of the country, the boast of the brave
When the banner of freedom our fathers uprear'd,
On Columbia's dark hills, and o'er ocean's blue wave.
Oh! let the proud paeans of triumph arise,
Proclaim to the world that here liberty dwells:
Let the hymn of thanksgiving be heard from the skies,
While each patriot bosom with gratitude swells.
Long was the contest, and fierce was the strife:
But firm were the bosoms that freedom inspir'd:
The struggle was dreadful; but liberty—life—
Our fathers with glory, with energy fir'd.
They obey'd the bright signal that Liberty gave,
When her banner she waved from her station on high;
Full promptly they hasten'd, their country to save,
And swore to live freemen, or freemen to die.
WASHINGTON, name ever loved, and most glorious,
Led the bands of the brave on to victory or death:
And now round his tomb shall the brave and victorious
The cypress and green laurel twine in a wreath.