Francis Hopkinson (1737–1791)

By the author of the “Battle of the Kegs”

MAKE room, all ye kingdoms, in history renown’d,

Whose arms have in battle with victory been crown’d,

Make room for America, another great nation;

She rises to claim in your councils a station.

Her sons fought for freedom, and by their own bravery

Have rescued themselves from the shackles of slavery;

America is free; and Britain’s abhorr’d;

And America’s fame is forever restored.

Fair Freedom in Britain her throne had erected;

Her sons they grew venal, and she disrespected.

The goddess, offended, forsook that base nation,

And fix’d on our mountains: a more honour’d station.

With glory immortal she here sits enthroned,

Nor fears the vain vengeance of Britain disown’d,

Great Washington guards her, with heroes surrounded;

Her foes he, with shameful defeat, has confounded.

To arms! we to arms flew! ’twas Freedom invited us,

The trumpet, shrill sounding, to battle excited us;

The banners of virtue, unfurl’d, did wave over us,

Our hero led on, and the foe flew before us.

In Heaven and Washington we placed reliance,

We met the proud Britons, and bid them defiance;

The cause we supported was just, and was glorious;

When men fight for freedom, they must be victorious.