Leander Kerr

STAND, my heroes, bravely stand,

Firm united in heart and hand,

Now our loved, our native land,

Calls her chivalry.

Wo to him who’d be a slave,

Death to him who’d be a knave,

Nerve each arm, ye gallant brave,

To strike for liberty.

See the troops of Wellington,

Like a war-cloud rolling on,

They for pillage hither come,

And with them slavery.

Hear not ye the war-drum’s sound,

Rolls its echoes round and round?

Gallants stand, or ’twill be found

The knell of liberty.

See yon red cross waiving high,

Streaming on the morning sky,

It proclaims the foemen nigh,

Proud England’s chivalry.

But our banner floats as proud,

Freedom’s band around it crowd,

Guard it safe, or be your shroud

The flag of liberty.

Look behind you what is there?

Mothers chaste and virgins fair,

Will you leave them to despair—

To wo and infamy?

Vengeance hurl upon the foe,

Deal them death in every blow,

Is it fame we fight for? No—

Our homes and liberty.