William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Columbias TriumphO
And to a listening world proclaim—
Behold! behold! an empire rise!
An era new, Time, as he flies,
Hath entered in the book of fame.
On Alleghany’s towering head
Echo shall stand—the tidings spread,
And o’er the lakes and misty floods around,
An era new resound.
And from her star-bespangled throne
Beholds the gay procession move along,
And hears the trumpet, and the choral song—
She hears her sons rejoice—
Looks into future times, and sees
The numerous blessings Heaven decrees,
And with her plaudit joins the general voice.
“In war are valiant, and in council wise;
Wisdom and valour shall my rights defend,
And o’er my vast domain those rights extend.
Science shall flourish, Genius stretch her wing,
To native strains Columbian muses sing;
Wealth crown the arts, and Justice clean her scales,
Commerce her ponderous anchor weigh,
Wide spread her sails,
And in far distant seas her flag display.
But found a naked goddess was their gain:
Good government alone can show the maid
In robes of social happiness array’d.”
Hail to this festival! all hail the day!
Columbia’s standard on her roof display;
And let the people’s motto ever be,
“United thus, and thus united—free!”