Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Perry’s Victory; or, the Battle of Lake Erie

WE sail’d to and fro on Erie’s broad lake,

To find British bullies or get in their wake,

When we hoisted our canvass with true Yankee speed,

And the brave Captain Perry our squadron did lead.

We sail’d through the lake, boys, in search of the foe,

In the cause of Columbia our bravery to show,

To be equal in combat was all our delight,

As we wish’d the proud Britons to know we could fight.

But whether, like Yeo, boys, they’d taken affright

We could see not, nor find them by day or by night,

So a-cruising we went in a glorious cause,

In defence of our rights, our freedom, and laws.

At length, to our liking, six sails hove in view,

“Huzza!” says brave Perry! “Huzza!” says his crew,

And then for the chase, boys, with our brave little crew;

We fell in with the bullies and gave them burgeau.

Though the force was unequal, determined to fight,

We brought them to action before it was night;

We let loose our thunder, our bullets did fly,

“Give them your shot, boys,” our commander did cry.

We gave them a broadside our cannon to try,

“Well done,” says brave Perry, “for quarters they’ll cry,

Shot well home, my brave boys, they shortly shall see,

That brave as they are still braver are we.”

Then we drew up our squadron each man full of fight,

And put the proud Britons in a terrible plight,

The brave Perry’s movements will prove full as bold

As the famed Admiral Nelson’s prowess of old.

The conflict was sharp, boys, each man to his gun,

For our country, her glory, the victory was won,

So six sail (the whole fleet) ’twas our fortune to take,

Here’s a health to brave Perry who governs the lake.