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

Macdonough’s Victory

O, FREEMEN! raise a joyous strain!

Aloft the eagle towers;

“We’ve met the enemy” again—

Again have made them “ours!”

Champlain! the cannon’s thundering voice

Proclaims thy waters free,

Thy forest-waving hills rejoice,

And echo—Victory!

The striped flag upon thy wave

Triumphantly appears,

And to invested landmen, brave

A star of promise bears.

Now to the world Fame’s trumpet sounds

The deed with new applause;

While from a conquer’d fleet resounds

Our seamen’s loud huzzas!

Britannia, round thy haggard brows

Bind bitter wormwood still;

For lo! again thy standard bows

To valiant Yankee skill.

But, O! what chaplet can be found

Macdonough’s brows to grace?

“’Tis done!” the glorious wreath is bound,

Which time can ne’er efface!

And still a just—a rich reward,

His country has to give;

He shall be first in her regard,

And with her Perry live!

Columbia! though thy cannon’s roar

On inland seas prevail,

And there alone—while round each shore

Outnumbering ships assail—

Yet deed with deed, and name with name,

Thy gallant sons shall blend,

Till the bright arch of naval fame

O’er the broad ocean bend!