Patriotic Songs, Selected for Celebrating the Anniversary of American Independence, a Song

Unfold, father Time, thy long records unfold, Of noble atchievements, accomplish'd of old; When man by the standard of liberty led, Undauntedly conquer'd, or cheerfully bled: But now 'midst the triumphs these moments reveal, Their glories all fade, and their lustre turns pale; While FRANCE rises up and proclaims the decree, That tears off their chains, and bid millions be free.

As spring to the fields, or as dew to the flowers, To the earth parch'd with heat, as the soft dropping showers; As health to the wretch, that lies languid & wan, Or rest to the weary—is freedom to man! Where freedom the light of her countenance gives, There only he triumphs, there only he lives; Then seize the glad moment, and hail the decree, That tears off their chains, and bids millions be free.

Too long had oppression and terror entwin'd, Those tyrant-form'd chains that enslav'd the free mind! While dark superstition and nature at strife, For ages had lock'd up the fountain of life; But the daemon is fled, the delusion is past, And reason and virtue have triumph'd at last; Then seize the glad moment, and hail the decree, That tears off their chains, and bids millions be free.

France, we share in the rapture thy bosom that fills, While the genius of liberty, bounds o'er thine hills; Redundant henceforth may thy purple juice flow, Prouder wave thy greenwoods, and thine olive trees grow. While the hand of Philosophy long shall entwine, Blest emblem, the laurel, the myrtle and vine, And Heav'n thro' all ages confirms the decree, That tears off their chains and bids millions be free.