William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Lawrence the BraveT
The banner of war floated high in the air,
The gale on its pinions to combat was speeding
The chief of Columbia, her glory in war;
Undaunted he stood, as the billows that roll’d
Round the barge that he guided through ocean’s blue wave;
His helmet was honour, and fame nerved his soul,
To gather a prize worthy Lawrence the brave.
To shield her beloved mid the carnage below,
And fate, from the impulse of valour recovering,
Seized a javelin of death and directed the blow.
Ah! sad was the hour, when she saw from on high
The cross of proud Albion triumphantly wave,
And bitter the moment she view’d, with a sigh,
On the deck, pale and lifeless, laid Lawrence the brave.
From glory’s meridian, the summit of fame?
Shall he who while dying his country defended,
Like his form be forgotten, forgotten his name?”
And now for the sigh for the kindred that bled,
Shall water the laurel that blooms on his grave;
They ceased, and in anguish she silently shed
The tear-drop of sorrow for Lawrence the brave.