Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Spirits of the Mighty Dead—1812

SPIRITS of the mighty dead,

Who with Washington have bled,

Call their sons to honour’s bed,

Or to victory.

Now’s the day, and now’s the hour:

See the front of battle lour;

See approach proud Britain’s power,

Chains and slavery.

Who will be a traitor knave?

Who can fill a coward’s grave?

Who so base to be a slave?—

Let him turn and flee.

For Columbia’s rights and law

Who the sword will strongly draw?

Freeman stand, or freeman fa’?—

Let him follow me.

By impressment’s woes and pains,

By our seamen’s servile chains,

We will drain our dearest veins,

But they shall be free.

Lay the proud usurpers low;

Tyrants fall in every foe:

Liberty’s in every blow;

Let’s be free or die.

See in yonder distant skies,

Where the great, the good, the wise,

Those who fought and won the prize,

Beckon you to come.

Honour’s path they boldly trod;

Broke Oppression’s iron rod;

Trusting in a righteous God,

And in Washington.