Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Death or Victory

COLUMBIANS, rouse to glory,

The trump of War alarms,

Around the tree of Liberty,

Come buckle on your arms—

Defend the glorious heritage

Your fathers’ valour won,

So shall fame, crown each name,

When the day of battle’s done.

Long has our country’s vengeance,

In mild forbearance slept,

While free-born sons of liberty

In bloody bondage wept—

Let now, since peace in war must cease,

Your valour teach the foe,

Whilst their blood swells the flood,

That ’tis Vengeance strikes the blow.

The haughty fleets of Britain

Assail’d your native shore,

Around each bay to seek for prey,

Their thundering cannons roar.

But Rodgers and Decatur soon

Their daring crest shall lower—

O’er their slain on the main,

Shall Columbia’s eagle soar.

Soon on the plains of Abraham

Our hardy sons shall rear,

The banner free of liberty,

To haughty Britain’s fear;

Nor will they quit the glorious field,

Till laurels nobly deck

Every head, quick or dead,

Of the conquerors of Quebec.

Columbians love their liberty,

Their country, and their God,

No kingly power shall make them cower,

They dread no tyrant’s nod;

Their happy country’s destiny

Is ever to be free,

And they’ll fight for every right,

For their land and liberty.

Then rouse, Columbians, rush to arms!

Obey your country’s call;

Your motto, “Death or victory!”

Live gloriously or fall—

Preserve the precious heritage

Your fathers’ valour won,

So shall fame crown each name,

When the day of battle’s done.