William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Monody
O
And silvers all the woodland scene;—
Niagara’s stream reflects the rays,
Midst copses wild, and banks of green.
The chief, who fell with battling brand:
His star, which shone with lustre bright,
Shall never more its rays expand.
What time the red-cross banner waved,
High in the front of furious war,
The youthful chief each danger braved.
The champion of his country’s right;—
On Meigs’ proud ramparts, unsubdued,
And nerved the patriot’s arm to fight.
Near bold Niagara’s foaming shore:—
High waved his blade midst martial train,
And foremost clash’d in war’s wild roar.
When red-cross met the banner’d star;
The bugle’s notes, the pealing horn,
Breathed forth the echoing blast of war.
Wood marshals all the vanward train:
Above their ranks his banners fly,
Like sea-birds curling o’er the main.
In death commix’d the squadrons join:
The war-cloud breaks, where Wood’s advance
Pours volley’d lightnings down the line.
Peals on the air its loud acclaim,
Columbia’s heroes throng around:
Heroes who grace each roll of fame.
Whose high emprise dread perils sought?
Where the bold leader of the band,
That in the van of battle fought?
To greet the view of comrades dear:
No more to lead the bold array!
No more the spangled flag to rear!
And join’d the hosts of heroes brave
Who erst on Fame’s proud fields have bled,
Their country’s dearest rights to save.
Long Freedom drop her choicest tear;
And weeping Glory oft shall roam,
To spread her laurels o’er his bier.