William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Freedom of the PressW
The noble freedom of the press?
Sure he who would attempt the thing,
On Haman’s gallows ought to swing.
O, how shall I express
This grand, important theme!
Which unto me doth seem
To be of great and mighty weight
Towards the freedom of the state.
You scarce can guess how much depends;
How much depends, you scarce can guess,
Upon the freedom of the press.
The freedom of the press, &c.
To speak, to write without control,
And his internal thoughts express,
Whilst Freedom smiles upon the press.
The freedom of the press, &c.
To be by shackles so confined
That he dare not his mind express,
Because a tyrant rules the press.
The freedom of the press, &c.
For thee I’d write from fall to spring;
For thee my warmest thoughts express:
May thou forever rule the press.
The freedom of the press, &c.