William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Yankee VolunteerT
We ever must revere:
Our fathers took their muskets then,
To fight for freedom dear.
Upon the plains of Lexington,
They made the foe look queer.
O, ’tis great delight to march and fight
As a Yankee volunteer.
Our standard they did rear;
’Twas there our gallant Warren fell—
I tell it with a tear.
But, for their victory that day,
The foe did pay full dear:
O, ’tis great delight to march and fight
As a Yankee volunteer.
They cross’d the Delaware;
Led by the immortal Washington,
No danger they did fear.
’Twas there they took the Hessians, boys,
Then back to town did steer.
O, ’tis a great delight to march and fight
As a Yankee Volunteer.
Burgoyne they beat severe:
And at the siege of Yorktown,
They gain’d their cause so dear.
Cornwallis there gave up his sword,
Whilst freedom’s sons did cheer.
O, ’tis great delight to march and fight
As a Yankee Volunteer.
We still victorious were;
And Jackson’s deeds, at New Orleans,
In bright array appear.
His virtues and his bravery
Each freeman must revere.
O, ’tis great delight to march and fight
As a Yankee Volunteer.
Upon our coast appear,
There’s hearts around me, brave and true,
Who’d quickly volunteer.
To drive invaders from the soil,
Columbia’s sons hold dear:
O, they’d each delight to march and fight
As a Yankee Volunteer.