Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Embargo and Peace

WHEN our sky was illumined by Freedom’s bright dawn,

And our horizon glowed with its beams all resplendent—

A patriot host shouted—“Hail to the morn

Which burst the vile shackles that held us dependent.

Let each freeman now swear

That his rights he’ll declare,

And to shield them from harm with his life will prepare:

For ne’er, till old Ocean retires from his bed,

Will Columbians by Europe’s proud tyrants be led.”

Ye heroes, whose blood sealed these generous vows,

May your sons never forfeit the fruits of your valour:

But, at call of his country, each citizen rouse,

To maintain with his sword, that no foe can enthral her.

Once more we will tell

That we never will sell

Those blessings we know how to value so well:

For ne’er, till old Ocean retires from his bed,

Will Columbians by Europe’s proud tyrants be led.

See! Britain, still hostile, ’gainst justice array’d,

Her murderous weapons prepared for our nation;

Her coffers enrich’d with the spoils of our trade,

And her minions commission’d to spread devastation:

But her arms we defy:

To her arts we reply,

That in Freedom we live, or for Freedom we die:

For ne’er, till old Ocean retires from his bed,

Will Columbians by Europe’s proud tyrants be led.

Let traitors, who feel not the patriot’s flame,

Talk of yielding our honour to Englishmen’s sway;

No such blemish shall sully our country’s fair fame:

We’ve no claims to surrender, nor tribute to pay.

Then, though foes gather round,

We’re on Liberty’s ground,

Both too wise to be trapp’d, and too strong to be bound:

For ne’er, till old Ocean retires from his bed,

Will Columbians by Europe’s proud tyrants be led.

From the deep we withdraw till the tempest be past,

Till our flag can protect each American cargo;

While British ambition’s dominion shall last,

Let us join, heart and hand, to support the embargo:

For embargo and peace

Will promote our increase;

Then embargoed we’ll live, till injustice shall cease:

For ne’er, till old Ocean retires from his bed,

Will Columbians by Europe’s proud tyrants be led.