William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Republican Legion1802I
Give ear and attend a few shots from my gun;
So, without more ado, being charged and primed,
First, we are all soldiers and citizens join’d.
Derry down, &c.
To be used as a tool by a despotic hand:
No, never shall any tyrannical Nero
Command or direct a Columbian hero.
Derry down, &c.
And the strength of a nation thus waste and divide,
Yet it ne’er shall be said, state gamesters to please, sir,
We fought like the game-cocks of Pompey and Cæsar.
Derry down, &c.
But in Liberty’s cause, like our late commander,
Great Washington brave, that much honour’d name,
Whose spirit is fled, sirs, though not fled his fame.
Derry down, &c.
O’er the ice-shores of Greenland, and Africa’s sands:
East, west, north, and south of his virtues all sing;
His name will be known till old Time drops his wing.
Derry down, &c.
Some guided her councils, some led the war host;
A host that America’s cause did maintain:
Some named, but not number’d; some number’d as slain.
Derry down, &c.
But the rights of Columbia we’ll ever maintain:
We’ll defend and protect every inch of her ground,
At any one end on’t we’ll face the world round.
Derry down, &c.
In their league of oppression e’er seek us to bind,
All their hopes are delusive, their efforts are vain;
For with Freedom we’ve leagued to extend her domain.
Derry down, &c.
Our joy at the cry of her foes in distress:
Hark! the triumphant shouts from the heroes of Gaul!
Her foes are dismay’d, and for mercy they call.
Derry down, &c.
But the nations, insulted, resolved to be free:
A free commerce and neutral rights to regain,
And wrest from proud Britain the rule of the main.
Derry down, &c.
From Democracy’s rage all the world to protect.”
Exhausted, she crouches, she truckles for peace:
Tribulation is on her: her glory shall cease.
Derry down, &c.
Thy own government system with others compare,
In the climes of old Europe, a despotic train—
War, famine, and death spreading round them amain.
Derry down, &c.