William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Soldiers HealthC
Crush to death your haughty foes;
Burst their slavish bands asunder,
Till no mortal dare oppose.
With an absolute control;
But they never thus shall fool us,
Cries the brave, the martial soul.
Children, sweethearts, wives, and friends,
And our holy faith defending
From delusion which impends.
To obey our general’s call;
While the slaves who dare to fight us,
Meanly fly or basely fall.
Happy who in battle dies!
See his spirit rise victorious,
Angels guard it through the skies.
If we live, our rights we’ll gain;
If we die, our souls, when flying,
Fly from fighting, grief, and pain.