Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

The Heroes of Tripoli

NIGHT and all her sable brood

Hung their shadows o’er the bay,

Where, upon the briny flood,

Preble’s daring squadron lay.

In the bark across the wave,

See detach’d a warrior-train,

Somers, Wadsworth, Israel brave,

To the castle move amain.

Heroes born to live in story,

Memory on your deeds shall dwell;

Blazon’d with unfading glory,

Freedom’s trophies you shall swell.

Seen approaching by the foe,

“Allah!” echoes from the steep,

Turban’d millions rush below,

To o’erwhelm them on the deep.

Somers to his dauntless band

Loud exclaims, with patriot flame,

“Ere they bear us to the land,

Let the waves our corses claim.

“Freedom’s meteor-banner raise,

Floating on the breeze’s breath,

In explosion’s kindling blaze,

We shall find a glorious death.”

He spoke: a flash illumes the sky,

Blazing o’er the wondering flood,

Turks in wild confusion lie,

Staining ocean with their blood.

Shrieking thousands bow the head,

Hurried to a watery grave,

Somers’ band, by honour led,

Undismay’d embrace the wave.

Heroes born to live in story,

Memory on your deeds shall dwell;

Blazon’d with unfading glory,

Freedom’s trophies you shall swell.