Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

Hail, Independence

HAIL, Independence, hail!

Bright offspring of the skies!

Behold thy sons unite,

Behold thine altars rise!

Lo! freeborn millions rise and swear

Their birthrights to maintain;

Resolved no foreign yoke to bear,

To drag no tyrant’s chain.

’Tis Freedom’s day, let millions rise,

To Freedom’s standard fly;

Obey Columbia’s call,

Unite—live free—or die.

Long had our favour’d clime,

Beneath indulgent Heaven,

Enjoy’d the smiles of peace,

Midst copious blessings given.

Here INDEPENDENCE’ banners waved,

Triumphantly unfurl’d;

With laurels crown’d, Columbia rose

The envy of the world!
’Tis Freedom’s day, &c.

But, lo! what gathering clouds

Assail Columbia’s shore!

From Europe’s crimson’d clime

What hellish thunders roar!

’Tis mad Ambition’s hydra form,

Loud threatening from afar,

That pours around the impending storm,

And swells the trump of war.
’Tis Freedom’s day, &c.

Rise, injured freemen, rise!

Outstretch the indignant arm;

Defend your country’s cause,

Nor dread the rude alarm.

Around fair Freedom’s altar throng,

Pronounce the firm decree;

Swear to avenge your country’s wrongs,

Live like your fathers, free!
’Tis Freedom’s day, &c.

Hail, Vernon’s sainted chief,

Glory’s immortal son;

Long may those laurels bloom

Thy matchless valour won;

And may thy grateful country long

Revere thy deathless name;

And with thy well-earn’d praises swell

The eternal trump of Fame!
’Tis Freedom’s day, &c.

Hail, Independence, hail!

Columbia’s proudest boast!

Ne’er shall thy sons forget

The price thy blessings cost.

Long may our youth undaunted stand,

To stem oppression’s flood;

To guard our country’s sacred rights,

And seal it with their blood.
’Tis Freedom’s day, &c.