| William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842. | | | | The Relics of Washington | | By Silas Sexton Steele (b. 1812) |
| | Tune—“Meeting of the Waters” |
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WHERE thy bright wave, Potomac, by fair Vernon sweeps, | |
| There, shrouded in glory, great Washington sleeps; | |
| There the spirits of freedom exultingly roam, | |
| Their blessings to breathe on the patriot’s tomb. | |
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| No proud marble rears its high crest o’er his dust, | 5 |
| For Glory’s hand lights up the grave of the just; | |
| And the sun of his valour, which brighter still glows, | |
| Shall hallow the spot where his relics repose. | |
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| While the genius of Freedom the earth shall illume, | |
| His deeds shall light forth her brave sons to his tomb; | 10 |
| And his name’s hallow’d splendour a watchword shall be | |
| For millions who yet shall resolve to be free. | | | |
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