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

Gunpowder Tea

Written in 1813

Tune—“Molly, put the kettle on”

JOHNNY BULL, and many more,

Soon, they say, are coming o’er—

As soon as e’er they reach our shore,

They must have their tea.

So go and put the kettle on,

Be sure to blow the bellows strong:

Load our cannon, every one,

With strong gunpowder tea.

They’ll get it strong, they need not dread,

Sweetened well with sugar of lead;

Perhaps it may get in their head,

And spoil their taste for tea.
So go, &c.

But should they set a foot on shore,

Their cups we’d fill them o’er and o’er,

Such as John Bull drank here before—

Nice Saratoga tea.
So go, &c.

Then let them come as soon’s they can;

They’ll find us at our posts, each man;

Their hides we will completely tan,

Before they get their tea.
So go, &c.