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William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

For the Fourth of July

  • “Festo quid potius die
  • Neptuni faciam? prome reconditum
  • Lyde, strenua cœcubum,” &c.

  • ’TIS the day, dearest wife, when all hearts should be glad;

    Shall I then be sober alone?

    Let me hear no complaints, see no visages sad,

    Nor to-day our misfortunes bemoan.

    Bring that cask of old whisky, my boast and my pride,

    That in seventy-six was distill’d;

    To Washington’s health it was quaff’d till he died,

    And now in his name shall be fill’d.

    My life’s day is closing, but e’er it departs,

    My old clay for the last time I’ll wet

    In a bumper to him who was “first in our hearts,”

    And is first in our gratitude yet.

    And I’ll join with his name those brave youths who have proved

    For their country they knew how to bleed,

    Noble Lawrence and Allen, lamented and loved,

    And Burrows, a hero indeed!