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

The Appeal

FREEDOM’S sons, awake to glory;

Bid Columbia’s eagle soar!

Once our deeds have rung in story;

Burns the patriot flame no more?

Shall that arm which haughty Britain

In its gristle found too strong:

That, by which her hosts were smitten,

Shall that arm be palsied long?

See our sons of ocean kneeling

To a tyrant’s stripes and chains!

Partisan! hast thou no feeling,

When the hardy tar complains?

See the British press-gang seize him,

Victim of relentless power!

Stout his heart is, but must fail him

In this evil, trying hour!

Wife and children did enfold him,

Ere he launch’d upon the deep:

These shall ne’er again behold him;

These are left alone to weep.

Dragg’d on board his prison-dwelling—

Snapp’d the cord of tender ties!

While his manly heart is swelling,

To the winds he gives his sighs.

Sons of Freedom! rise and save him;

Snatch him from the tyrant’s power;

And thy country then shall have him,

Friend in peril’s darkest hour.