William Ray (1771–1827)

Tune—“Mason’s Daughter”

COLUMBIANS to remotest time,

Through every age, to every clime,

Shall wake the raptured lay,

To usher in the festal morn;

For Independence first was born

On this auspicious day.

While Eaton chides our foes by land,

Behold our fearless squadron stand,

The terror of the main:

’Twas these that awed the turban’d race,

Brought beys and bashaws to disgrace,

And broke the captive’s chain.

And you, whose patriot bosoms glow,

Who all the joys of freedom know,

Columbia’s standard rear;

And let your blazing cannons’ roar,

Proclaim aloud to Britain’s shore,

That Liberty is here.

In memory of the illustrious dead,

The immortal heroes who have bled,

Their country to defend;

Let grateful toasts re-echo round,

And let their fame’s eternal sound

From earth to heaven ascend.

Long as the sun the day shall light,

Or moon and stars illume the night,

Or vessels swim the sea;

Our heroes will our rights maintain,

Our land eternally remain

United, bless’d, and free.