William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
American VictoriesH
Floats along Columbia’s shore,
Peals on peals, redoubling, roll,
Whilst glory fires each patriot soul.
Hark, the thunder breaks again!
And now amid the ocean’s glow,
“She strikes! she strikes!” Columbia’s foe.
Fast fading, twin’d with mournful yew,
Columbia’s little naval band
Will wrest the trident from thy hand.
To modest Hull the azure field;
To Yankee skill resign the wave
That rises o’er the Guerriere’s grave.
Columbia’s flag triumphant fly!
Intrepid Jones with ardour burns,
And vengeful on the Frolic turns.
But dauntless Jones the fight maintains,
Till haughty England sees once more
Her red cross humbled as before.
Decatur—oft in battle tried—
The Preble of her infant name—
The Nelson of her future fame.
The Macedonian, captive stand;
Struck, her proud banners to his might,
And hails him champion of the fight.
And graceful round his temple binds
That glorious wreath, the meed of fame,
Which consecrates a hero’s name.
Fast fading, twined with mournful yew;
Columbia’s little naval band
Shall wrest the trident from thy hand.