William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The American StarC
Already they eagerly snuff up their prey;
The red clouds of war o’er our forests are scowling,
Soft Peace spreads her wings, and flies weeping away;
The infants, affrighted, cling close to their mothers,
The youth grasp their swords, for the combat prepare;
While beauty weeps fathers, and lovers, and brothers,
Who rush to display the A
The dread rifle seize; let the cannon deep roar;
No heart with pale fear, or faint doubtings be shaken,
No slave’s hostile foot leave a print on our shore;
Shall mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters, left weeping,
Insulted by ruffians, be dragg’d to despair;
O, no; from her hills the proud eagle comes sweeping,
And waves to the brave the A
Look down from their clouds, with bright aspect serene;
Come, soldiers, a tear, and a toast to their memory,
Rejoicing they’ll see us, as they once have been;
To us the high boon by the gods has been granted,
To spread the glad tidings of liberty far.
Let millions invade us, we’ll meet them undaunted,
And conquer or die by the A
United, we swear by the souls of the brave!
Not one from the strong resolution shall falter,
To live independent, or sink to the grave!
Then, freemen, fill up! lo! the striped banner’s flying,
The high birds of liberty scream through the air;
Beneath her Oppression and Tyranny dying,
Success to the beaming A