Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Jefferson’s Election

WELL met, fellow freemen! let’s cheerfully greet

The return of this day, with a copious libation:

For Freedom this day, in her chosen retreat,

Hail’d her favourite Jefferson chief of our nation.

A chief, in whose mind

Republicans find

Wisdom, probity, honour, and firmness combined.

Let our wine sparkle high, whilst we gratefully give

The health of our sachem, and long may he live!

Political frenzy howled wide o’er the earth;

Ambition and Rapine with blood tinged the ocean;

While Jefferson, ripening sage systems for birth,

Found the peaceful, legitimate path to promotion.

With Reason his guide,

At Washington’s side,

His virtue and talents full often were tried;

Now he’s chief in command, let the universe see

How happy a nation of freemen can be!

Whilst Europe’s proud chiefs wield the sword or the pen,

By force or by fraud to acquire new possessions;

Our rulers speak “peace and good-will towards men,”

And their practice accords with their cordial professions;

But should foreign foes

Their rancour disclose,

And by discord or arms dare disturb our repose,

Let our chief give the word, and he safely may trust

That those haughty disturbers shall soon “bite the dust.”

May Jefferson’s genius sublimely control

The carpings of envy, the frenzy of faction;

At his bidding let union attune each free soul,

And godlike philanthropy spring into action;

Thus, blessing and bless’d,

By his country caress’d,

Sweet peace shall forever illumine his breast!

Admiring his virtues, again let us give

The health of our sachem, and long may he live!