William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Lawrence’s DeathC
And you that fight battles abroad on the sea,
Come flock round the standard, and learn the sad fate
Of Lawrence, brave Lawrence, whose death I’ll relate.
The eagle of conquest had perch’d on his sword;
For ’twas the proud Peacock to the bottom did go,
He lost more in saving than conquering his foe.
Where the full flowing bumpers were drank to his name,
With the pride of this country of sailors, they boast
No party or faction, but Lawrence we’ll toast.
We then gave three cheers, vow’d to conquer or die;
Then quickly weigh’d anchor, and set sail away,
And alongside the Shannon our frigate soon lay.
And each gallant hero did await his command;
Till an ill-fated ball pierced Lawrence’s breast,
And sent, much lamented, our hero to rest.
No one to command us, or yet to advise,
So our ship soon foul of the Shannon she fell,
We were boarded and taken, alas! I must tell.
His actions in history their place shall retain,
Though his death from our bosoms shall wring a sad tear,
The cause that we fight in is render’d more dear.
Around his sad bier they in anguish reclined;
His colours now o’er his remains they bestow,
Which will ne’er cease to remember that he was their foe.
Let us pattern by his virtues, and reverence his name;
While a ship of the ocean shall sail the salt sea,
Like Lawrence we’ll die, or like heroes be free.
And there may bright angels his virtues attend,
Where foes can no longer approach or molest,
All clad in bright armour from Jesus’s breast.