Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Song: ‘The first of Freedom’s chosen band’

THE FIRST of Freedom’s chosen band

Revisits earth to-day;

The love he bears his native land,

No death can wear away.

From heavenly bowers, this guest of ours

Descends and warms the soul;

With hearts of flame, his honour’d name,

We’ll pledge in Freedom’s bowl.

What though that fond paternal face,

So dear to every eye,

Eludes the patriot’s warm embrace,

Translated to the sky,—

Our guest is near, we feel him here;

We feel him in the soul:

Illustrious shade, we undismay’d

Can pledge thee in the bowl.

We know thee by this patriot love,

This pant for honest fame;

For none but Washington above

Can breathe so pure a flame.

Then comrades join, with sparkling wine,

These feelings to the soul,

So warm and dear, with cordial cheer,

We’ll pledge in freedom’s bowl.