William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Elegy: Strew, virgins, the cypress oer Washingtons bierTune—“Thou soft-flowing Avon”
S
Whilst emblems of sorrow excite the big tear;
The hills round the spot where the hero is laid
Shall yearly re-echo a dirge to his shade.
The loss of their heroes, ne’er doom’d to return,
Shall yearly retire to the spot where he’s laid,
And swell the sad dirge to great Washington’s shade.
(For soldiers, she finds, may in battle be harm’d,)
By moonlight shall steal to the spot where he’s laid,
And beg the protection of Washington’s shade.
And swear, by his relics, their country to save;
His name thus invoked, whosoe’er shall invade
Shall fall early victims to Washington’s shade.