William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Patriot’s AdieuA
My country calls me from thee;
Remember thou’rt a patriot’s wife—
Those tears but ill become thee;
What though by duty I am call’d,
Where tyrants’ cannons rattle,
Where valour’s self might stand appall’d,
Still, on the wings of thy dear love,
To heaven above
Thy tender orisons are flown:
The fervent prayer
Thou puttest up there,
Shall call a guardian angel down,
To watch me in the battle!
As sword and buckler serving;
My life shall be more dear to me,
Because of thy preserving;
Let perils come, let honors threat,
Let tyrants’ cannons rattle,
I’ll dauntless brave the conflict’s heat,
Assured that on the wings of love, &c.
Some kindred god inspired thee;
Who saw thy bosom void of guile,
Who wonder’d and admired thee!
I go in Freedom’s righteous cause,
Where despots’ cannons rattle;
For equal rights, and equal laws!
Assured that on the wings of love, &c.
A patriot seeks thy glory;
Do thou the rights of man defend
’Gainst party—whig or tory;
In thy just cause the hero fights,
Though tyrants league in battle,
For equal laws and equal rights;
And should fair Freedom bless this land,
We’ll firmly stand:
No tyranny shall then be known!
But gentle Peace
Our joys increase:
The goddess shall herself come down,
And stop the cannons’ rattle!