Song, I. American Independence

Tis done! the edict past, by heaven decreed, And Hancock's name confirms the glor'ous deed. On this auspicious morn Was Independence born: Propitious day! Hail the United States of blest America!

Fly, swift wing'd Fame, The news proclaim: From shore to shore Let cannon's roar, And joyful voices shout Columbia's name.

See haughty Britain, sending hosts of foes. With vengeance arm'd, our freedom to oppose; But WASHINGTON the great, Dispell'd impending fate, And spurn'd each plan: Americans, combine to hail the godlike man.

Let Saratoga's crimson plains declare The deeds of Gates, that "thunderbolt of war:" His trophies grac'd the field: He made whole armies yield— A vet'ran band: In vain did Burgoyne strive his valour to withstand.

Now Yorktown's heights attract our wond'ring eyes, Where loud artill'ry rend's the lofty skies: There WASHINGTON commands, With Gallia's chosen bands, A warlike train; Like Homer's conq'ring gods, they thunder o'er the plain.

Pale terror marches on, with solemn stride; Cornwall is trembles, Britain's boasted pride; He and his armed hosts, Surrender all their posts, To WASHINGTON, The friend of Liberty, Columbia's fav'rite son,

Now from Mount Vernon's peaceful shades again, The Hero comes, with thousands in his train: 'Tis WASHINGTON the great Must fill the chair of state, Columbia cries: Each tongue the glorious name re-echoes to the skies.

Now shall the useful arts of peace prevail, And commerce flourish, favor'd by each gale Discord, forever cease Let Liberty and Peace And Justice reign; For WASHINGTON protects the scientific train.