Independence

Hail INDEPENDENCE, hail, Bright Goddess of the skies! Behold thy sons unite, Behold thine altars rise! Lo, freeborn millions kneel and swear, Their birth-rights to maintain, Resolv'd no foreign yoke to bear, To drag no tyrant's chain.

'Tis Freedom's day—let millions rise, To Freedom's standard fly; Obey Columbia's call, Unite—Live free, or Die!

Long has our favor'd clime, Beneath indulgent heaven, Enjoy'd the smiles of Peace, Mid copious blessings giv'n, Here Independence' banners wav'd, Triumphantly unfurl'd; With laurels crown'd, Columbia rose, The envy of the world.

But lo! what gathering clouds Assail Columbia's shore, From Gallia's crimson'd clime, What hellish thunders roar? 'Tis mad ambition's hydra form, Loud threat'ning from afar, That pours abroad th'impending storm, And swells the trump of war!

Rise, injur'd Freemen, rise! Out-stretch th' indignant arm; Defend your Country's cause, Nor dread the rude alarm, Around fair Freedom's altar throng, Pronounce the firm decree, Swear to avenge your country's wrong, Live, like your fathers free.

Hail, Vernon's hoary chief! Glory's immortal son! Long may those laurels bloom, Thy matchless valor won; And may thy grateful country long Revere thy deathless name, And with thy well-earn'd praises swell, Th' eternal trump of Fame!

Illustrious ADAMS, hail! To thee the task is given; To guard thy country's rights, And share the smiles of heav'n, With what an honest patriot pride The immortal leader glows, Firm and undaunted, as a rock, To crush Columbia's soes.

Hail Independence, hail, Columbia's proudest boast, Ne'er shall thy sons forget, The price thy blessings cost. Long may our youth undaunted stand, To stem oppression's flood; To guard their country's sacred rights, And seal it with their blood!

'Tis Freedom's day, let millions rise, To Freedom's altar fly, Obey Columbia's call, Unite—live free, or die!