Thread:Knewmark/@comment-5042987-20120422192609

'''Liberty Song by John Dickinson '''

Come join band in hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call; No tyrannous acts, shall suppress your just claim, Or stain with dishonor America's name.

In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live; Our purses are ready, Steady, Friends, steady,

Not as slaves, but as freemen our money we'll give. Our worthy forefathers - let's give them a cheer - To climates unknown did courageously steer; Thro' oceans to deserts, for freedom they came, And, dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd, So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they priz'd; We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep, Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.

The Tree, their own hands had to Liberty rear'd, They lived to behold growing strong and rever'd; With transport then cried, - " Now our wishes we gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."

How sweet are the labors that freemen endure, That they shall enjoy all the profit, secure, - No more such sweet labors Americans know, If Britons shall reap what Americans sow,

Revolutionary Tea by Anonymous

There was an old lady lived over the sea And she was an island queen. Her daughter lived off in a new country With an ocean of water between. The old lady's pockets were full of gold But never contented was she, So she called on her daughter to pay her a tax Of three pence a pound on her tea.

"Now, mother, dear mother," the daughter replied, "I shan't do the thing you ax. I'm willing to pay a fair price for the tea, But never the three-penny tax." "You shall," quoth the mother, and reddened with rage, "For you're my own daughter, you see, And sure 'tis quite proper the daughter should pay Her mother a tax on her tea."

And so the old lady her servant called up And packed off a budget of tea; And eager for three pence a pound, she put in Enough for a large family. She ordered her servant to bring home the tax, Declaring her child should obey, Or old as she was, and almost full grown, She'd half whip her life away.

The tea was conveyed to the daughter's door, All down by the ocean's side, And the bouncing girl poured out every pound In the dark and boiling tide; And then she called out to the island queen, "Oh, mother, dear mother," quoth she, "Your tea you may have when 'tis steeped quite enough But never a tax from me."

3. Yankee Doodle

Once on a time old Johnny Bull flew in a raging fury, And swore that Jonathan should have no trials, sir, by jury; That no elections should be held, across the briny waters; "And now," said he, "I'll tax the tea of all his sons and daughters." Then down he sate in burly state, and blustered like a grandee, And in derision made a tune called "Yankee doodle dandy." "Yankee doodle"-these are facts-"Yankee doodle dandy;" My son of wax, your tea I'll tax; you Yankee doodle dandy!"

John sent the tea from o'er the sea, with heavy duties rated; But whether hyson or bohea, I never heard it stated. Then Jonathan to pout began-he laid a strong embargo- "I'll drink no tea, by Jove!" so he threw overboard the cargo. Then Johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy, Whose martial band, when near the land, played "Yankee doodle dandy." "Yankee doodle-keep it up-Yankee doodle dandy- I'll poison with a tax your cup, you Yankee doodle dandy."

A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated, And "Yankee Doodle" was the march to which his troops retreated. Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter; "That tune," said he, "suits to a T-I'll sing it ever after!" Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy, E'en while he swore to sing no more this Yankee doodle dandy. Yankee doodle,-ho-ha-he-Yankee doodle dandy, We kept the tune, but not the tea-Yankee doodle dandy. 