William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Ode: ‘From Britain’s sea-girt isle’F
Where Flora’s richest smile
Luxuriant glows,
To this, then, desert waste,
By savages possess’d,
To be with freedom blest,
In calm repose,
Warm’d with fair Freedom’s fires,
Adventurous came.
Here they their dwelling made,
Their standard here display’d;
Beneath the wide woods’ shade,
Set up their claim.
To tread the sanguine field,
Unskill’d in war,
This institution made
To teach its martial trade,
To wield the shining blade,
The foe to dare.
That did their breasts inspire,
Our bosoms warms,
May we, with equal zeal
Pursue the public weal,
Nor fear the bloody steel,
If call’d to arms!
This day your patriot zeal
Your sons proclaim.
Your names we venerate;
Your glory emulate;
And tell our sons how great
Their grandsires’ fame.
Washington’s glorious name,
Charge! fill again,
Fill the bowl—fill it high,
First-born son of the sky,
May his glory never die!
Heaven shout, amen.