William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Genius of FreedomW
Which Cruelty’s banner of darkness unfurl’d,
The sunbeams of Freedom with clouds overcast,
The genius escaped from a despotic world:
On the wings of the wind,
Left England behind,
And flew to our shores, an asylum to find.
Unfriended, and wandering, unbless’d, and alone,
Our forefathers welcomed the maid as their own;
The gloom of despair from her brow chased away,
And Liberty’s day-star then beam’d a bright ray.
Where dwelt the sweet maid with our ancestors brave;
They strove to destroy Freedom’s favourite seat,
But heroes united their country to save:
Each freeman arose,
The slaves to oppose,
And scatter’d destruction on Liberty’s foes!
Their strength was exerted; the loud trump of fame
Taught tyrants to tremble at Washington’s name!
But low lies the chief who our liberties saved,
And deep in each heart is his memory engraved!
And each son of Liberty hear, with a sigh,
How Warren expired, and Montgomery fell;
How Mercer and Wooster for Freedom could die!
Their courage oft tried,
With honour they died,
And Liberty’s offspring shall bless them with pride!
Old Ocean shall boast, whilst he rolls his salt wave,
Of Truxton, of Preble, Decatur the brave;
And Fame shall record, and America weep
The fate of her children who died on the deep!
The shouts of our seamen pierced Tripoli’s skies;
Where Eaton pluck’d laurels from Africa’s sand,
The eagle triumphant in victory flies!
The world thus may see
Columbia’s free,
And united, will ever victorious be.
No danger America’s sons can appal:
They’ll conquer their foes, or with honour will fall!
The rights of their country still anxious to save,
In glory they’ll triumph! or welcome the grave!