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

Huzza for Decatur

Tune—“The Constellation”

COLUMBIANS, strike the enlivening strain,

To cheer the hero home again,

Cover’d with laurels from the main,

Huzza for the brave Decatur.

He met the foeman on the wave,

He taught the skilful and the brave,

How well the tars,

Unused to wars,

Could shine amidst the din of battle,

And while the glorious cannons rattle,

Huzza for the brave Decatur.

Brave was the Macedonian’s crew,

The captain he was valiant too;

And every heart was brave and true,

When they met the bold Decatur:

And while the glorious cannon’s train

Re-echoed o’er the distant main.

The Britons, proud,

Exclaim’d aloud,

“See, see, we’ve fired the foeman’s side;”

But still our gallant tars replied,

Huzza for the brave Decatur.

The battle’s fury soon is o’er,

The vivid lightnings gleam no more,

And silent is the cannon’s roar,

Huzza for the brave Decatur.

In streams of blood their flag descends,

His race full many a Briton ends;

Our planks are tight,

Our vessel’s right,

And every sailor at his post,

Exclaims, in joy and wonder lost,

Huzza for the brave Decatur.