Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Burgoyne’s Surrender

AS Jack, the king’s commander,

Was going to his duty,

Through all the crowd he smiling bow’d

To every blooming beauty.

The city rung of feats he’d done

In Portugal and Flanders,

And all the town thought he’d be crown’d

The first of Alexanders.

To Hampton Court he first repairs,

To kiss great George’s hand, sir,

And to harangue o’er state affairs,

Before he left the land, sir.

The Lower House sat mute as mouse

To hear his grand oration,

Whilst all the Peers with loudest cheers

Proclaim’d him through the nation.

Then straight he went to Canada,

Next to Ticonderoga,

And leaving those, away he goes

Straightway to Saratoga.

With grand parade his march he made,

To gain his wish’d for station;

Whilst far and wide his minions hied,

To spread his proclamation.

To all his ready offers made

Of pardon or submission,

Lest cruel bands should waste the lands,

Of all in opposition.

But ah! the cruel fate of war,

This boasted son of Britain,

When mounting his triumphal car,

With sudden fear was smitten.

The sons of Freedom gather’d round,

Their hostile bands confounded,

And when they would have turn’d their backs,

They found themselves surrounded.

In vain they fought, in vain they fled,

Their chief, humane and tender,

To save the rest soon thought it best,

His forces to surrender.

Thus may America’s brave sons

With honour be rewarded,

And be the fate of all our foes

The same as here recorded.