Joseph Hopkinson (1770–1842)

HAIL Columbia! happy land!

Hail ye heroes! heaven born band!

Who fought and bled in freedom’s cause,

And when the storm of war was gone,

Enjoy’d the peace your valor won.

Let independence be our boast,

Ever mindful what it cost;

Ever grateful for the prize,

Let its altar reach the skies.

Firm—united—let us be,

Rallying round our liberty;

As a band of brothers join’d,

Peace and safety we shall find.

Immortal patriots! rise once more;

Defend your rights, defend your shore:

Let no rude foe, with impious hand

Invade the shrine where sacred lies,

Of toil and blood the well-earn’d prize.

While offering peace, sincere and just,

In Heaven we place a manly trust,

That truth and justice will prevail,

And every scheme of bondage fail.

Sound, sound the trump of fame,

Let WASHINGTON’S great name

Ring through the world with loud applause,

Let ev’ry clime to freedom dear,

Listen with a joyful ear.

With equal skill, and god-like power,

He govern’d in the fearful hour

Of horrid war; or guides, with ease,

The happier times of honest peace.

Behold the Chief, who now commands,

Once more to serve his country stands—

The rock on which the storm will beat,

But arm’d in virtue, firm and true,

His hopes are fix’d on Heaven and you.

While hope was sinking in dismay,

And glooms obscured Columbia’s day,

His steady mind, from changes free,

Resolved on Death or Liberty.