Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Battle of Trenton

ON Christmas day in ’76,

Our ragged troops with bayonets fix’d,

For Trenton marched away.

The Delaware see, the boats below,

The light obscured by hail and snow,

But no symptoms of dismay.

Our object was the Hessian band,

That dared to invade fair freedom’s land,

And quarter in that place.

Great Washington he led us on,

With ensigns streaming with renown,

Which ne’er had known disgrace.

In silent march we pass’d the night,

Each soldier panting for the fight,

Though quite benumb’d with frost.

Greene on the left, at six began,

The right was with brave Sullivan.

Who in battle no time lost.

Their pickets storm’d, the alarm was spread,

That rebels risen from the dead

Were marching into town.

Some scamper’d here, some scamper’d there,

And some for action did prepare,

But soon their arms laid down.

Twelve hundred servile miscreants,

With all their colours, guns, and tents,

Were trophies of the day:

The frolic o’er, the bright canteen,

In centre, front, and rear was seen,

Driving fatigue away.

Now, brothers of the patriot bands,

Let’s sing our safe deliverance

From arbitrary sway.

And as life you know is but a span,

Let’s touch the tankard while we can,

In memory of the day.