William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The American SwordF
Valiantly used,
Wielded when prayers were vain;
Never abused:
Sword that our fathers drew!
We, by their dust,
Swear to prove good and true
Heirs of the trust.
Call for thy steel,
Be thou the pruningknife,
Wounding to heal!
Should Freedom’s foes accurst
E’er seek our shore,
Forth like God’s lightning burst
E’er as of yore!
Why was it shed?
Answer from Lexington,
Glorious dead!
Cry from your lowly rest
’Neath the green sod,
“Sons! for our rights, the blest
Charter of God!”
Breathes a deep tone:
“Not for the South or North
Fought we alone:
All in one holy band
Sought we to bind—
O! let not factious hand
Loose what we’ve join’d!”