|
COME, all you brave Americans, and unto me give ear, | |
And Ill sing you a ditty that will make your hearts cheer, | |
Concerning a young gentleman whose age was twenty-two; | |
He fought for North America; his heart was just and true. | |
|
They took him from his dwelling-place, and they did him confine, | 5 |
They cast him into prison, and kept him for a time; | |
But he with resolution resolved not long to stay; | |
He set himself at liberty, and soon he ran away. | |
|
He with a scouting-party ran down to Tarrytown, | |
Where he met a British officer, a man of high renown; | 10 |
He says to those young gentlemen, Youre of the British cheer, | |
I trust that you can tell me now if theres any danger here. | |
|
Then up steppd this young gentleman, John Paulding was his name; | |
Come, tell me where youre going to, also from whence you came. | |
I bear the British flag, sir; Ive a pass to go this way; | 15 |
Im on an expedition, and have no time to stay. | |
|
Then up steppd those young gentlemen, and bid him to dismount; | |
Come tell us where youre going to, give us a strict account; | |
For we are now resolved that you shall neer pass by. | |
On strict examination, they found out he was a spy. | 20 |
|
He begged for his liberty, he plead for his discharge, | |
And oftentimes he told them, if theyd set him at large, | |
Heres all the gold and silver I have laid up in store, | |
But when I get down to New York Ill give you ten times more. | |
|
I scorn your gold and silver, Ive enough laid up in store, | 25 |
And when that is all spent and gone, Ill freely fight for more; | |
So you may take your sword in hand and gain your liberty, | |
And if that you do conquer me, O, then you shall go free. | |
|
The time it is improper our valour for to try, | |
For if we take our swords in hand, then one of us must die; | 30 |
I am a man of honour, with courage brave and bold, | |
I fear not the face of clay, although its clothed in gold. | |
|
He saw that his conspiracy would soon be brought to light; | |
He beggd for pen and paper, and asked leave to write | |
A line to General Arnold, to let him know his fate, | 35 |
And beg for his assistance; but alas, it was too late. | |
|
When the news it came to Arnold, it put him in a fret; | |
He walkd the room in trouble, till tears his cheeks did wet; | |
The news it went throughout the camp, likewise throughout the fort; | |
He called for the Vulture, and sailed for New York. | 40 |
|
Now Arnold to New York has gone, a fighting for his king, | |
And left poor Major André, on the gallows for to swing; | |
When he was executed, he lookd both meek and mild, | |
He lookd on his spectators, and pleasantly did smile. | |
|
It moved each eye with pity, caused every heart to bleed; | 45 |
And every one wishd him released, and had Arnold in his stead. | |
He was a man of honour, in Britain he was born; | |
To die upon the gallows most highly he did scorn. | |
|
Heres a health unto John Paulding! so let your voices sound, | |
Fill up your flowing glasses, and drink his health around; | 50 |
Also to those young gentlemen, who bore him company; | |
Success to North America, ye sons of liberty! | |
|