Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

The Heroes of Queenstown

PROUD Britain may boast what her champions have done,

The fleets they have conquer’d, the arms they have won;

But the sons of Columbia, united and free,

Can thrash the proud bullies by land or by sea.

Ballenamona oro—The sons of Columbia for me.

September the thirteenth, at midnight so dark,

Our troops on the river Niagara embark’d;

The standard of Britain resolved to pull down,

And drive the proud foes from the heights of Queenstown.

Ballenamona oro—The heroes of Queenstown for me.

In spite of the current, the hail, wind, and rain,

The opposite shore was intrepidly gain’d;

Though balls, grape, and musket shot round them did fly,

Determined like heroes to conquer or die.

Ballenamona oro—The heroes of Queenstown for me.

Our lines were soon form’d and advanced without fear,

Led on by the brave Colonel Van Rensselaer;

Though wounded four times he despised all pain,

And headed his men till he sunk on the plain.

Ballenamona oro—Brave Van Rensselaer for me.

Recovering again, to his men he replied,

“Rush forward and storm their batteries, my boys;”

Then brave Colonel Christy he led the troops on,

And fought them for hours though three to his one.

Ballenamona oro—Brave Colonel Christy for me.

Now forty proud Britons lie stretch’d on the plain,

And General Brock, their commander, was slain;

We storm’d their batteries and spiked every gun,

And made both the red and white savage run.

Ballenamona oro—The heroes of Queenstown for me.

But being reinforced they again took the field,

And our brave Spartan band was obliged for to yield;

They may boast of being victors, but that day must own

They got Bunker Hill play at the heights of Queenstown.

Ballenamona oro—the sons of Columbia for me.

Now fill up your glasses, let this be the toast,

The heroes of Queenstown, America’s boast:

The stripes of Columbia shall ne’er be pulled down,

While we have such heroes as fought at Queenstown.

Ballenamona oro—The heroes of Queenstown for me.