Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

Evacuation of New York by the British, 1783

The following song was composed and sung on the ever-memorable 25th of November, 1783, when the conquered Britons evacuated the city of New York, and thereby finally left the thirteen United States in possession of that freedom, prosperity, and independence for which they had so long and so successfully contended.

THEY come!—they come!—the heroes come

With sounding fife, with thundering drum;

Their ranks advance in bright array,—

The heroes of America!

He comes!—’tis mighty Washington,

(Words fail to tell all he has done,)

Our hero, guardian, father, friend!

His fame can never, never end.

He comes!—he comes!—our Clinton comes!

Justice her ancient seat resumes:

From shore to shore let shouts resound,

For Justice comes, with Freedom crown’d.

She comes!—the angelic virgin—Peace,

And bids stern War his horrors cease;

O! blooming virgin, with us stay,

And bless, O! bless America.

Since Freedom has our efforts crown’d,

Let flowing bumpers pass around:

The toast is, “Freedom’s favourite son,

Health, peace, and joy to Washington!”