Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Columbia

AWAKE, O my sons! and to glory repair,

The prospect is noble, the object is fair;

The Spaniards have dared to infringe on our right;

Are ye freemen, and not bring the matter to light?

These Dons will grow proud by insulting our flag:

O suffer them not of such meanness to brag.

In peace let your stripes round the globe be display’d,

From nation to nation establish your trade;

In the language of freemen enforce your decrees,

Make the ocean your empire, and sail where you please;

On the basis of freedom establish your fame,

And the slaves of each despot will crouch at your name;

It is fit the impression should now go abroad,

Ere a meaner, unluckily, first takes the road.

Ye had courage to face the bold Briton in war,

And the Spaniard, ye know, is inferior by far;

Demand satisfaction; if that be denied,

The aggressor the consequence then must abide:

’Twould be worthy, by Heaven! and your annals adorn,

The standard of Freedom to bear to Cape Horn,

Unshackle the slaves that to royalty bow,

And o’er plains quite neglected establish the plough!

Ye are children of Europe, ’tis true; but the times

Have never been equall’d by baseness and crimes;

Now it’s time that the children should act for the best,

For the parent is doating—will soon be a jest;

Your ties are but slender, and easily broke,

The blame is your own that you suffer the yoke.

Each circumstance tells you, each object you see,

Informs that your empire was made to be free,

Give laws to the world, to improve on each plan,

And by Liberty, everywhere, dignify man.