Henry C. Lewis

YE freemen of Columbia! be mindful of your fame;

Let no rude foe, presumptuous, insult your rising name;

And on the roaring ocean, with glory and applause,

Protect your flag and commerce, your country and your laws;
Ye freemen of Columbia, &c.

The heroes of Columbia, when warring on the main,

Are like our lofty mountains which storms assail in vain.

With lion-force impetuous they rush upon their foes,

Like Niagara’s torrent, which nothing can oppose.
Then freemen of Columbia, &c.

Their foes upon the ocean are sought with equal force,

They stop the conquering Briton, so haughty in his course;

Ferocious as the tiger they deal the vengeful blow,

And sink the bold intruder beneath the billows low.
Then freemen of Columbia, &c.

Such is their wondrous valour, when side by side the foe;

Who dares their flag dishonour, or aim a wrathful blow,

That like our native eagles embattling for their brood,

Before they yield the contest, they’ll shed each drop of blood!
Then freemen of Columbia, &c.

When hot the battle rages, amid the strife of steel,

The fury of the bison, they imitate with zeal;

But when the conflict’s over, they dress the wounds they made,

And foes so bravely conquer’d receive their quickest aid.
Then freemen of Columbia, &c.

With wonder, every nation beholds our glory flame,

And every noble hero obtains a deathless name;

With more than common wonder they see the laurels torn

From Britain’s boasted navy, and placed upon our own!
Then freemen of Columbia, &c.

Then long as splendid Erie shall roll its waves sublime,

Our flag shall be respected in every distant clime;

And numerous as our forests shall laurels grace our fair,

And verdant as our flowers, forever blossom there.
Then long as splendid Erie shall roll, &c.