DEATH OR LIBERTY. Tune—Rule Britannia

When our great Sires this land explor'd, A shelter from tyrannic wrong! Led on by heav'ns Almighty Lord, They sung—and acted well the song, Rise, united! dare be freed! Our sons shall vindicate the deed.

In vain the region, they would gain, Was distant, dreary, undisclos'd, In vain th' Atlantic roar'd between, And hosts of savages oppos'd, They rush'd undaunted, heav'n decreed Their sons should vindicate the deed.

'Twas freedom led the vet'rans forth, And manly fortitude to bear, They toil'd, they vanquish'd such high worth, Is always heav'ns peculiar care; Their great example still inspires, Nor dare we act beneath our sires.

'Tis ours undaunted to defend The dear bought, rich inheritance: And spite of each invading hand, We'll fight, bleed, die! in its defence. Pursue our father's path to fame, And emulate their glorious flame.

As the proud oak inglorious stands, 'Till storms, and thunder root it fast, So stood our new, unpractis'd bands, 'Till Britain roar'd her stormy blast: Then her they vanquish'd, fierce led on By FREEDOM and great WASHINGTON.

Hail, godlike hero! born to save! Ne'er shall thy deathless laurels fade, But on that brow, eternal wave, And consecrate blest Vernon's shade. Thy spreading glories still increase, 'Till earth, and time, and nature cease.

Oh! may that spirit on thee shed, COLUMBIA's truest, noblest friend! On thy successor's honor'd head, In copious, double show'rs descend! This charge to ADAMS be consign'd; Be thou the second of mankind.

So when ELIJAH, call'd to heav'n, Up in flaming chariot rode, ELISHA took the mantle giv'n, And rose a prophet—or a god! Then shout great ADAMS! freedom's son! Immortal heir of WASHINGTON.