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

Virginia

From the New York Journal, or the General Advertiser—June 27, 1776—From the Pennsylvania Journal

AT length,—with generous indignation fired,

By freedom’s noblest principles inspired,

The continental spirit blazes high,

And claims its right of Independency!

Virginia hail! Thou venerable state!

In arms and council still acknowledged great!

When lost Britannia in an evil hour,

First tried the steps of arbitrary power,

Thy foresight then the Continent alarm’d,

Thy gallant temper every bosom warm’d.—

And now when Britain’s mercenary bands

Bombard our cities, desolate our lands,

(Our prayers unanswer’d, and our tears in vain,)

While foreign cut-throats crowd th’ ensanguined plain;

Thy glowing virtue caught the glorious flame,

And first renounced the cruel tyrant’s name!

With just disdain, and most becoming pride

Further dependence on the crown denied!

Whilst freedom’s voice can in these wilds be heard,

Virginia’s patriots shall be still revered.