Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

The Battle of New Orleans

HAIL to the hero, the pride of his country,

Honour’d by all be his ever great name;

Where is the man who presumes with effrontery

To tarnish the laurels that bloom with his fame?

Down where the waters flow,

He met the invading foe,

Where great Mississippi resounds with his fame;

There, with his gallant band,

Nobly sustain’d the land,

And cover’d the foe with confusion and shame.

Loudly the thunders of battle were roaring,

Hurling defeat in the ranks of the foe,

Proudly above, the proud eagle was soaring,

The warriors of Britain were prostrate and low;

There with undaunted mien,

Jackson shone amid the scene;

The red glare of battle, the hero display’d;

He every bosom fired,

His voice, every one inspired;

To conquest, to glory, they rush’d undismay’d.

Mid volumes of smoke, that the combat enshrouded,

Thy banner, O Freedom! with brilliancy shone,

But Britain, the sun of thy glory was clouded,

Thy legions were routed, thy hosts overthrown:

No more along the coast,

Is heard their haughty boast,

While beauty and booty the battle impel;

Long they’ll lament the day,

When in the mortal fray,

Their hopes were all crush’d with the thousands who fell.

Hail, thou firm patriot, beloved by the nation,

Thy honour unsoil’d, thy integrity tried,

Worthy to fill the most exalted station,

With valour to save, and with skill to preside.

In vain the intriguing foe

Aims the insidious blow,

To blight thy fair laurels, to sully thy fame;

Truth, with the rays of light,

Thy virtues, brave chief, will write,

In the annals of greatness emblazon thy name.