Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Barney’s Invitation

Philip Freneau (1752–1832)

COME, all ye lads who know no fear,

To wealth and honour with me steer

In the Hyder Ali privateer,

Commanded by brave Barney.

She’s new, and true, and tight, and sound,

Well rigg’d aloft, and all well found;

Come away, and be with laurel crown’d,

Away, and leave your lasses.

Accept our terms without delay,

And make your fortunes while you may,

Such offers are not every day

In the power of the jolly sailor.

Success and fame attend the brave,

But death the coward and the slave,

Who fears to plough the Atlantic wave,

To seek the bold invaders.

Come, then, and take a cruising bout,

Our ship sails well there is no doubt,

She has been tried both in and out,

And answers expectation.

Let no proud foes, whom Europe bore,

Distress our trade, insult our shore;

Teach them to know their reign is o’er,

Bold Philadelphia sailors!

We’ll teach them how to sail so near,

Or to venture on the Delaware,

When we in warlike trim appear,

And cruise without Henlopen.

Who cannot wounds and battles dare

Shall never clasp the blooming fair;

The brave alone their charms should share;

The brave are their protectors.

With hand and heart united all,

Prepared to conquer or to fall,

Attend, my lads, to honour’s call,

Embark in our Hyder Ali.

From an eastern prince she takes her name,

Who, smit with freedom’s sacred flame,

Usurping Britons brought to shame,

His country’s wrongs avenging.

See, on her stern, the waving stars;

Inured to blood, inured to wars,

Come, enter quick, my jolly tars,

To scourge these warlike Britons.

Here’s grog enough; then drink about,

I know your hearts are firm and stout;

American blood will never give out,

And often we have proved it.

Though stormy oceans round us roll,

We’ll keep a firm, undaunted soul,

Befriended by the cheering bowl,

Sworn foes to melancholy:

While timorous landsmen lurk on shore,

’Tis ours to go where cannons roar;

On a coasting cruise we’ll go once more,

Despisers of all danger;

And fortune still, who crowns the brave,

Shall guard us o’er the gloomy wave;

A fearful heart betrays a knave;

Success to the Hyder Ali.