Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

The Republican Legion—1802

IN these festive times of mirth, frolic, and fun,

Give ear and attend a few shots from my gun;

So, without more ado, being charged and primed,

First, we are all soldiers and citizens join’d.
Derry down, &c.

We are not, like a Roman prætorian band,

To be used as a tool by a despotic hand:

No, never shall any tyrannical Nero

Command or direct a Columbian hero.
Derry down, &c.

Though chiefs oft contend, through ambition or pride,

And the strength of a nation thus waste and divide,

Yet it ne’er shall be said, state gamesters to please, sir,

We fought like the game-cocks of Pompey and Cæsar.
Derry down, &c.

We’ll fight not for conquest, like famed Alexander;

But in Liberty’s cause, like our late commander,

Great Washington brave, that much honour’d name,

Whose spirit is fled, sirs, though not fled his fame.
Derry down, &c.

Fled his fame! yes, his fame has long fled through all lands,

O’er the ice-shores of Greenland, and Africa’s sands:

East, west, north, and south of his virtues all sing;

His name will be known till old Time drops his wing.
Derry down, &c.

Many patriots more may America boast;

Some guided her councils, some led the war host;

A host that America’s cause did maintain:

Some named, but not number’d; some number’d as slain.
Derry down, &c.

We seek not for plunder or riches to gain;

But the rights of Columbia we’ll ever maintain:

We’ll defend and protect every inch of her ground,

At any one end on’t we’ll face the world round.
Derry down, &c.

Should the tyrants of Europe, ’gainst freedom combined,

In their league of oppression e’er seek us to bind,

All their hopes are delusive, their efforts are vain;

For with Freedom we’ve leagued to extend her domain.
Derry down, &c.

As true lovers of freedom, we join to express

Our joy at the cry of her foes in distress:

Hark! the triumphant shouts from the heroes of Gaul!

Her foes are dismay’d, and for mercy they call.
Derry down, &c.

Modern Carthage has long stood as lord of the sea;

But the nations, insulted, resolved to be free:

A free commerce and neutral rights to regain,

And wrest from proud Britain the rule of the main.
Derry down, &c.

“In her attitude stands she” no longer “erect,

From Democracy’s rage all the world to protect.”

Exhausted, she crouches, she truckles for peace:

Tribulation is on her: her glory shall cease.
Derry down, &c.

O, America! ponder, and balance with care;

Thy own government system with others compare,

In the climes of old Europe, a despotic train—

War, famine, and death spreading round them amain.
Derry down, &c.