Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

The Fourth of July

O’ER the forest-crown’d hills, the rich valleys and streams

Of lovely Columbia, oppression prevail’d;

But, fired by the glow of bright Liberty’s beams,

Her sons flew to arms, and the demon assail’d;

And though long in fight

He resisted their might;

Their prowess, at length, put his legions to flight,

And never, no, never by us shall be stain’d

The laurels our fathers so gloriously gain’d.

The olive-crown’d goddess then smiling appear’d,

And sweet Independence shed blessings around;

When loud in the west the dread war-whoop was heard,

Where murderous chiefs on Columbia frown’d;

Again, as her shield,

Her sons took the field;

Nor left it till forced was each savage to yield;

And never, no, never by us shall be stain’d

The laurels our brothers so gloriously gain’d.

Now Peace again smiled, and the plough and the sail

Abundance of wealth to Columbia brought,

When Faction, puff’d up by an orient gale,

To ruin her empire seductively sought.

But vain were its arts!

For the patriot hearts

Of her eagle-eyed sons soon repell’d all its darts;
And never, no, never, &c.

Inflated with envy, now Tripoli’s lord

Of war at Columbia threw the dread bolt;

When, scorning all danger, her sons rush’d on board,

Resolving to humble that crescent-crown’d dolt;

And quickly their thunder

His walls rent asunder,

Impressing his palace and people with wonder;
And never, no, never, &c.

At length, mother Britain, regardless of right,

The flag of Columbia dishonour’d each day;

While Emperor Boney, new broils to excite,

Would govern her councils with absolute sway;

But, maugre them, we

At home are still free;

And so, while we’ve arms, are determined to be;
For never, no, never, &c.