W. P. Farquhar

Sung at the dinner given to General La Fayette by the Legislature of Maryland, December 24th, 1824

Tune—“Scots wha hae”

WELCOME, welcome, La Fayette,

Thee we never shall forget;

Friend of man, we love thee yet,

Friend of Liberty.

Thou wast once our friend indeed,

Wast our friend in time of need:

Thou for us didst freely bleed,

Son of Liberty.

And we love to see thee here:

Thou art now, as ever, dear;

Thee we ever shall revere,

Friend of Liberty.

Yes, we take thee by the hand,

Welcome thee to Maryland:

By thee she will ever stand,

Firm and true to thee.

Thou hast been the honest man,

Acting on a worthy plan;

Since old Time its course began,

Who has done like thee?

And the toils of war now o’er,

Welcome to Columbia’s shore:

Yes, we love thee more and more,

Friend of Liberty.

Freedom’s cause is cause divine:

Freedom’s cause was ever thine:

On the world soon may it shine,

The sun of Liberty.

Welcome, welcome, La Fayette,

Thou art good, and thou art great:

Welcome, welcome, to our state—

Happy mayst thou be.

Sons and daughters long shall tell,

None did ever thee excel;

Mothers, fathers, loved thee well—

Friend of Liberty.