The Nightingale of liberty: or Delights of harmony. A choice collection of patriotic, Masonic, & entertaining songs. : To which are added toasts and sentiments, moral, humorous, and republican. ...

The Nightingale of liberty: or Delights of harmony. A choice collection of patriotic, Masonic, & entertaining songs. : To which are added toasts and sentiments, moral, humorous, and republican. ...

Table of contents

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Title page

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THE GALLY SLAVE.

FREEDOM.

INDEPENDENCE!

THE GREAT REPUBLIC.

BATTLE OF THE KEGS.

INTEREST.

FOURTH OF JULY.

WASHINGTON.

LIBERTY TREE.

AMERICA.

THE MARSEILLES MARCH.

THE BIRTH DAY OF FREEDOM.

COLINET AND PHEBE.

THE GENIUS OF FRANCE.

MURTOUGH O'BLANEY'S ESCAPE.

THE EAGLE OF FREEDOM.

TO HEAVEN'S EMPYREAL HEIGHT.

TREE OF LIBERTY.

COLUMBIA

THE RAISING.

AMERICA.

WHEN OUR FATHERS CAME O'ER.

MASONIC SONGS.

THE PARTING.

FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE.

MASONRY.

THE MASON'S LIFE.

THE MASON'S GLORY. FOR ST. JOHN'S DAY.

BEHOLD YON DOME. Addressed to the Craft, on entering a Lodge.

WHEN THE SUN FROM THE EAST.

YE DELICATE FAIR MAIDS.

TRUE BLUE.

BACCHUS OPEN ALL THY TREASURE.

THE MASON PORTRAYED.

ASSIST, MY MUSE.

ERE GOD THE UNIVERSE BEGAN.

CONVEN'D WE'RE MET.

ARISE AND SOUND THY TRUMPET FAME.

BEFORE I BECAME A FREE-MASON.

THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASON

HAIL, MASONRY!

MASONIC GLEE.

ENTERTAINING SONGS.

THE PROPHETS.

THE SILVER MOON.

THE WAY WORN TRAVELLER.

BONNY BET.

THE MOMENT AURORA.

TOM BOWLING.

THE GIRL OF MY HEART.

WHEN FIRST I SLIPT MY LEADING STRINGS.

THE WEALTHY FOOL.

TALLY HO.

WITHIN A MILE OF EDINBURGH.

BRIGHT PHEBUS.

JOCKEY TO THE FAIR.

'TWAS WHEN THE SAES WERE ROARING.

THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.

THE INDIAN DEATH SONG.

THE ROSE TREE.

ANNA'S URN.

TOASTS AND SENTIMENTS.

CONTENTS.

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FRONTISPIECE.

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NIGHTINGALE OF LIBERTY: OR Delights of Harmony. A CHOICE COLLECTION OF Patriotic, Masonic, & Entertaining SONGS. TO WHICH ARE ADDED TOASTS AND SENTIMENTS, MORAL, HUMOROUS, AND REPUBLICAN.

Thou sweetest songster of the feather'd tribe,

Carol, with notes harmonious, songs to LIBERTY.

NEW-YORK: PRINTED BY JOHN HARRISSON, And sold at his Book-Store, no. 3 Peck-Slip. 1797.

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Books and Stationary, Of every kind, For sale at the Book Store of JOHN HARRISSON, No. 3, Peck-Slip. Cargo Memorandum Books, ALSO, Dutch Memorandum Books, The Practical Navigator, and The Seaman's New Daily Assistant, Seaman's Journals, Blank Books of all Kinds, And a great Assortment of the newest Song Books.

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[Page]

THE GALLY SLAVE.

OH, think on my fate! once I Freedom enjoy'd,

Was as happy as happy could be—

But pleasure is fled!—even hope is destroy'd!

A captive, alas! on the sea!

I was ta'en by the foe—twas the fiat of fate

To tear mef rom her I adore;

When thot brings to mind my once happy estate,

I figh!—while I tug at the oar.

Hard, hard is my fate!—Oh how galling my chain!

My life's steer'd by Misery's chart—

And tho 'gainst my tyrants I scorn to complain,

Tears gush forth to ease my sad heard:

I disdain e'en to shrink tho I feel the sharp lash;

Yet my breast bleeds for her I adore:

While around me the unfeeling billows will dash,

I sigh!—and still tug at the oar.

How Fortune deceives!—I had pleasure in tow,

The port where she dwelt we'd in view,

But the wish'd nuptial morn was o'erclouded with woe,

And, dear ANNA! I was hurried from you.

Our vessel was boarded, and I borne away

To behold my dear ANNA no more!

But despair wastes my spirits, my form feels deeny—

He sigh'd, and expir'd at the our!

[Page]

FREEDOM.

UNFOLD, father Time, thy long records unfold,

Of noble atchievements, accomplish'd of old,

When men, by the spirit of LIBERTY led,

[...] conquer'd, or cheerfully bled.

But now, midst the triumphs these moments reveals.

[...] glories all fade, and their lustre turns pale,

[...] rises up and proclaims the decree

[...] off their chains and bids MILLIONS be FREE.

As Spring to the fields, and as dew to the flowers,

To the earth parch'd with heat as the soft dropping show'rs,

As health to the wretch that lies languid and wan,

So cheering, so grateful 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 anp 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 enslave the FREE mind;

While dark superstition, with nature at strife,

For age has lock'd up the fountains of life:

But the demon has 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! thy glorious triumph the American soul fills,

While the Genius of LIBERTY bounds o'er thine hills.

[Page] Redundant henceforth may the purple juice flow,

Prouder wave chy green woods and thine olive trees grow,

While the hands of Philosophy long shall entwine

—Blest emblem—the Laurel, the Myrtle, the Vine,

And Heav'n, thro all eyes, confirm'd the decree,

That tears off their chains, and bids MILLIONS be FREE.

INDEPENDENCE!

HAIL, lovely maid!—Hail, power divine!—

Hail, INDEPENDENCE! at whose shrine

The just do tribute pay:

May thy bright rays each Patriot fire.

May earth born souls to thee aspire,

And hail th' Auspicious Day.

On Europe's mystic shore enchain'd,

By despots' mandates there restrain'd,

By superstition bound;

COLUMBUS, like the orient morn,

Arose, dispell'd the black'ning storm,

And leap'd the gulph profund.

'The Curlew scream'd, the Tritons blew,

While cross th' Atlantic swift they flew

To reach this western clime;

The sea-gods-rose from ocean's bed,

The Patriot band in safety led,

The radient maid divine.

The Dryads hail their heaven-born guest,

And FREEDOM rear'd his fulgent crest,

And hail'd the auspicious rite;

[Page] The clarions loud from state to state.

Fair INDEPENDENCE verberate,

When first she saw the light.

The mandates of great Jove obey'd,

The wood-nymphs seize the infant maid,

Like wisdom's fair she stands;

As rolling years matur'd her age,

With bold oppression she engag'd,

And burst despotic bands.

This DAY, this blest propitious day,

The rolls of light she did display.

Asserted FREEDOM's cause,

She broke tyrannic Albion's chain,

And drove him from fair Truth's domain,

Where Nature's God forms laws.

Then, Patriots, join the festive throng,

And hail this day with mirth and song,

And harmony and glee;

With shouts of joy from state to state,

Let Heav'ns bright spheres reverberate

IMMORTAL LIBERTY.

THE GREAT REPUBLIC.

HAIL, great Republic of the world!

The rising empire of the west;

Where fam'd Columbus, with mighty mind inspir'd

Gave tortur'd Europe scenes of rest.

Be thou forever, forever Great and Free,

The land of Love and LIEERTY.

[Page]

Beneath thy spreading mantling vine,

Beside thy flow'ry grove and springs;

And on thy lofty, thy mountain's brow,

May all thy sons and fair one's sing.

Be thou forever, &c.

From thee may rudest natioes learn

To prize the cause thy sons began;

From thee may future, may future tyrants know

That sacred are the Rights of Man.

Be thou, &c.

From thee may hated discord fly,

With all her dark, her gloomy train;

And o'er thy fertile, thy fertile wide domain,

May everlasting Friendship reign,

Be thou, &c.

Of thee may lisping infancy

The pleasing wond'rous story tell;

And Patriot sages in venerable mood,

Instruct the world to govern well.

Be thou, &c.

Ye guardian angels watch around,

From harms protect the new born state;

And all ye friendly, ye friendly nations join

And thus salute the child of fate.

Be thou forever, forever great and Free,

The land of Love and LIBERTY.

[Page]

BATTLE OF THE KEGS.

GALLANTS attend, and hear a friend,

Trill forth harmonious ditty:

Strange things I'll tell, which late befel

In Philadelphia city.

'Twas early day, as poets say,

Just when the sun was rising,

A sodier stood, on log of wood,

Aud saw a fight surprising.

As in a maze, he stood to gaze,

The truth can't be denied, sir,

He spy'd a score—of kegs or more,

Come floating down the tide sir.

A sailor too, in jerkin blue,

The strange appearance viewing,

First damn'd his eyes, in great surprise,

Then said—some mischief's brewing.

These KEGS now hold the rebels bold,

Pack'd up like pickled herring:

And they're come down t'attack the town,

In this new way of ferrying.

The soldier flew, the sailor too,

And, scar'd almost to death, sir.

Wore out their shoes, to spread the news,

And ran till out of breath, sir.

Now up and down, thro all the town,

Most frantic scenes were acted;

And girls and boys, with hedious noise.

Ran thro the town half naked.

[Page]

† Sir William he, snug as a flea,

Lay all his time a snoring,

Nor dreamt of harm, us he lay warm

In bed with Mrs. L—g.

Now in a fright, he starts upright,

Awak'd by such a clatter:

He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries,

"For God's sake what's the matter?

At his bed side, he then espy'd

Sir Erskine * at command, sir,

Upon one foot, he had one boot,

And t'other in his hand, sir.

Arise! Arise! Sir Erskine cries:

The rebels—more's the pity—

Without a boat, are all on float,

And rang'd before the city.

The motly crew, in vessels new,

With Satan for their guide, sir,

Pack'd up in bags, or wooden KEGS,

Come driving down the tide, sirs.

Therefore prepare for bloody war;

These KEGS must all be routed:

Or surely we despis'd shall be;

And British courage doubted.

The royal band now ready stand,

All rang'd in dread array, sir,

With stomach stout, to see it out,

And make a bloody day, fir.

[Page]

The cannons roar, from shore to shore:

The small arms make a rattle:

Since wars began, I'm sure no man

E'er saw so strange a battle.

The rebel * vales, the rebel dales,

With rebel trees surrounded,

The distant woods, the hills, and floods,

With rebel echos sounded,

The fish below swam to and fro

Attack'd from ev'ry quarter:

Why sure, thought they, the dev'l's to pay,

'Mongst folks above the water.

The KEGS, 'tis said, tho strongly made,

Of rebel staves and hoops, sir,

Could not oppose their pow'rful foes,

The conqu'ring British toops, sir,

From morn to night, these men of might

Display'd amazing courage;

And when the sun was fairly down,

Retir'd to sup their porridge.

An hundred men, with each a pen,

Or more, upon my word, sir,

It is most true, would be too low

Their valour to record, sir.

Such feats did they perform that day

Upon these wicked KEGS, sir,

That years to come, if they get-home,

They'll make their boasts and brags, sir.

[Page]

INTEREST.

A SONG, a song is the cry of mankind,

All know what to singing belongs;

'Tis interest governs us all you will find,

And governs the pitch of our songs.

The miser, with riches, who's never content,

Can tell what is right or is wrong,

For he joins in the chorus o' twenty per cent,

And owns it a very good song.

Behold the merchant the federal lad,

Who hopes that the union is strong,

But says it is [...] makes the heart glad,

And [...] away with a song.

The merchant is punctual—to see himself paid,

And wishes for [...] long.

Yet strike up the ditty of commerce and trade,

How quickly he joins in the song.

The lawyer and parson do know very well,

The things to singing belong,

One finger's the see, ere a word he can tell,

One "turns of his flock with a song."

And WASHINGTON too, the hero and sage,

To heaven he carols his song:

"The blessings which thou to COLUMBIA gave,

I pray thee in mercy prolong."

[Page]

FOURTH OF JULY.

HAIL, ever-memorable Day!

When Sons of Freedom bore the sway

Unaw'd by all the world:

When Patriots sign'd the wise decree,

That fair Columbia should be free,

Or else in ruins hurl'd.

How awful was the new dawn scene,

When Liberty, transcendant queen,

In glorious pomp array'd,

With her Columbia's boasted Son,

The great. the warlike WASHINGTON,

Led forth the smiling maid.

By his example all inspir'd,

Each bosom with like ardor fir'd:

Behold the shining band!

A thirst for Freedom, homes forsook,

Defiance louring on each look,

They all collected stand.

Huzza for Freedom! they all cry'd,

Freedom the echoing hills reply'd;

Then dauntless rushing on,

Lords, Dukes, and Earls before them flew,

With all the trembling, servile crew,

Huzza for WASHINGTON.

All hereditary honors he

Contended for sweet Liberty,

He did the sword unsheath:

From hence these lasting honors now,

From off Cornwallis' haughty brow,

He pluck'd the laurel wreath.

[Page]

Thus by immortal deeds of same,

We triumph in Columbia's name,

And her immortal Son.

While moon and stars and sun endured

While billows foam on Ocean's shore;

Revere great WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.

NO peerage we covet, no sceptres desire,

Nor gew gaws that garnish a throne;

Yet Liberty loves on her own native lyre

To celebrate sons of her own.

And always with rapture his virtue she sings,

And exults on the morn of his birth,

Who shakes every throne of despotical kings,

And gives a new lesson to earth.

O, widely defuse it, ye winds as ye blow!

O waft it ye waves that they fan!

For the choicest of gifts that the gods can bestow

Is the blessing of FREEDOM to MAN.

O WASHINGTON, hail! whom the breath of pure Fame

With praises more sweet shall perfume,

Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name

In Macedon, Ateens, or Rome.

For Freedom say what did that foe of the Greek,

Alexander, that he ro admir'd

[Page] Let the foes, or the friend whom he massacred speak;

Or the beautiful city he fir'd!

Ye unfetter'd Freemen examine each deed

That made him renown'd and ador'd;

Then mention what race by his valour was freed,

Or bless'd by his sceptre or sword!

Did conquering Cesar Rome's senate obey?

Did the legions disperse at a word?

Did he halt or retire from a summit of sway

That saving his country conferr'd?

Then, WASHINGTON, hail! whom the breath of pure Fame

With praises more sweet shall perfume,

Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name,

In Macedon, Athens or Rome.

Did Athens, did Sparta one hero produce

T' extinguish their feuds by his mind,

Or prove to the free the pre-eminent use

Of union to them and mankind?

Ah, no! if wise Greece but one patriot adept,

One leader like ours had enjoy'd,

No lover of Freedom or Science had wept

For Science and Freedom destroy'd.

Then, WASHINGTON, hail! whom the breath of pure Fame

With praises more sweet shall perfume

Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name

In Macedon, Athens, or Rome.

[Page]

LIBERTY TREE.

Written at the commencement of the American war.

IN a chariot of light, from the regions of day,

The Goddess of Liberty came,

Ten thousand celestials directed her way,

And hither conducted the dame:

The fair budding branch from the gardens above,

Where millions with millions agree,

She brought in her hand, as a pledge of her love,

And the plant she nam'd Liberty Tree.

The celelestial exotic sunk deep in the ground,

Like a native he flourish'd and bore,

The fame of its fruit drew the nations around

For to seek out this peaceable shore.

Unmindful of name or distinction they came,

Like freemen and brothers agree,

With one spirit endu'd they one friendship pursu'd,

And their temple was Liberty Tree.

Beneath this fair branch, like the patriots of old,

Our bread in contentment we eat,

Unperplex'd with thots of silver or gold,

The cares of the wealthy or great.

With timber and tar we old England supply'd,

Supported her pow'r on the sea;

Her battles we fought without gaining a groat,

For the safety of Liberty Tree.

But list, O ye swains! tis a tale most profane,

That all these tyranical pow'rs,

Kings, Commons, and Lords, all unite in a name,

To cut down this garden of ours.

From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms,

Thro the land let the sound of it flee,

Let the far and the near all unite in god cheer,

In defence of our Liberty Tree.

[Page]

AMERICA.

HAIL, America! hail! unrivall'd in fame,

Thy foes in confusion turn pale at thy name,

On the rock-rooted harbor firmly seated sublime,

Below thee break, harmless, the billows of time.

Thy striped flag wave still, and glory ensue,

And FREEDOM find ever a guardian in you.

Huzza, huzza, huzza!

Ye brave Americans, whom Freedom secures;

For the high car of crest-blazing glory is yours.

Our bosoms enraptur'd beat high at thy name;

Thy health is our transport, thy trumpet our fame;

Like our sires, with our swords we'll support their renown,

What they bought with their blood we'll defend with our own.

Smile, ye guardians of Freedom, while your brave sons implore

That America may flourish when time is no more.

Huzza, Huzza, huzza!

Ye brave Americans, whom Freedom secures;

For the blessings of Virtue and Plenty are yours.

Let Spain boast the treasures that grow in her mines,

While France spends her blood in exalted designs;

In bright sparkling jewels let India prevail,

And thy odors, Arabia distuse in each gale:

Columbia and Gallia are blest with a soil

Where the fair fruits of Virtue and Liberty smile.

Huzza, &c.

With rapture and love our beauties we prize,

With their rose-blooming cheeks and their languishing eyes:

[Page] Haste, ye Graces, and Venus to Columbia repair,

Fit consorts for heroes—the first of the fair:

For to whom shall the blessings of Freedom descend

But the sons of those fires who dar'd Freedom defend?

Huzza, &c,

Not ambitious of keeping the world in a flame,

May Friendship and Peace be forever our aim—

Immortal in virtue, immortal in prime,

May Liberty flourish and honor our clime;

Oppression be kept at a distance from hence—

No tyrants and thrones at the people's expence.

Huzza, huzza, huzza!

Ye brave Americans, whom Freedom secures,

For the blessings of Virtue and Plenty are yours.

THE MARSEILLES MARCH.

Sung by the MARSEILLOIS going to battle.

YE sons of FRANCE awake to glory,

Hark! hark! what myriads bid you rise!

Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary;

Behold their tears and hear their cries!

Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding,

With hireling hosts, a ruffian band,

Affright and desolate the land,

While Peace and Liberty lie bleeding!

To arms, to arms, ye brave,

Th' avenging sword unsheath,

March on, march on, all hearts resolv'd

On victory or death.

[Page]

Now, now the dangerous storm is rolling,

Which treach'rous Kings, confed'rate raise;

The dogs of war let loose are howling,

And lo! our fields and cities blaze;

And shall we basely view the ruin,

While lawless force with guilty stride,

Spreads dissolations far and wide,

With crimes and blood his hand imbruing?

To arms, &c.

With luxury and pride surrounded,

The vile insatiate despots dare,

Their thirst of power and gold unbounded,

To mete and vend the light and air;

Like beasts of burden would they load us,

Like gods, would bid their slaves adore;

But man is man, and who is more?

Then shall they longer lash and goad us?

To arms, &c.

O LIBERTY! can man resign thee,

Once having felt thy gen'rous flame!

Can dungeons, bolts, and bars confine thee?

Or whips thy noble spirit tame?

Too long the world has wept, bewailing

That Falshood's dagger tyrants wield;

But FREEDOM is our sword and shield.

And all their arts are unavailing.

To arms, to arms, ye brave,

The avenging sword unsheath,

March on, march on, all hearts resolv'd

On victory or death.

[Page]

THE BIRTH DAY OF FREEDOM.

LET the poets of England write odes on their King

Or their musical notes raise so high,

The BIRTH-DAY of FREEDOM we ever will sing

And rejoice on the Fourth of July.

No proud haughty monarch can here bear the sway

Since tyranny now we defy,

Fair Liberty ushers this joyful glad day,

And proclaims tis the Fourth of July.

May Columbians, united, preserve and protect.

The blessings on which they rely,

Nor with shameful indifference ever neglect

To remember the Fourth of July.

This day be it sacred to Freedom and Peace,

Festivity, Friendship, and Joy;

May our land in prosperity ever increase,

And be bless'd on the Fourth of July.

COLINET AND PHEBE.

AS Colinet and Phebe sat

Beneath a poplar grove,

With fondest truth the gentle youth

Was telling tales of love.

Dear blooming maid, the shepherd said.

My tender vows believe,

These downcast eyes, and artless sighs

Can ne'er thy faith deceive.

[Page]

From fair to fair, tho some their are

Delighting wild to rove;

Such change thou ne'er from me can'st fear,

Thy charms secure my love.

Then Phebe now approve my vow,

By truth, by fondness prest;

A smile assume, to grace thy bloom,

And make thy shepherd blest.—

A blush o'er spread her cheek with red,

Which half she turn'd aside:

With pleasing woes her bosom rose

While thus the maid reply'd:

Full well, dear youth, I know thy truth,

And of thine arts to please:

But ah is this a time for bliss,

On things so soft as these?

While all around we hear no sound,

But war's terrific strain:

The drum commands our arming bands,

And chides each tardy swain.

Our country's call arouses all

Who dare be brave and FREE,

My love shall crown the youth alone

Who saves himself and me.

'Tis done, he cry'd, from thy dear side

How quickly I'll be gone;

From love will I to FREEDOM fly,

A slave to thee alone.

[Page]

And when I come with laurels home,

And all that Freemen crave,

To crown my love, thy smile shall prove

The fair reward the brave.

THE GENIUS OF FRANCE.

THE Genius of France from his, star begem'd throne,

O'er his valorous sons bent his fostering eye,

Under war's sanguine power not long shall ye groan,

Fair Freedom he cries smiling shoots from the sky,

Your cause on the records of heav'n is plac'd;

Despots and crowns shall from earth be erac'd.

While the sun more refulgent shall dart his bright ray,

To cheer and illumine this Glorious Day.

With Bastiles my lov'd land shall no more be disgrac'd,

Her white banners around ye, humanity waves;

No more shall the image of God be defac'd,

Or dark cells be contriv'd by cruelty's slaves:

The deep groan of anguish is now heard no more;

Your whips and your tortures ye tyrants give o'er,

And soon shall the world in unison say

Forever be bless'd this Glorious Day.

[Page] The bright star of Liberty arose in the North,

O'er the Atlantic's rough wave her splendors she shed;

For justice and virtue soon hurried her forth,

O'er thy realms my lov'd Gallia her influence spread,

And O may her power your spirits inspire!

And still may you glow with her sacred fire;

While each son of Freedom exulting shall say,

Forever be bless'd this Glorious Day.

Let the valor of Washington live in each breast,

And those chiefs who for Liberty drain'd ev'ry vein,

While honor'd their spirit, flown above, are at rest,

Their memory unfading forever shall reign:

Like their's be your fame undaunted and free,

Firmly rooted the basis of Freedom shall be;

Her fervors around ye brightly shall play,

Adding new glory to this Happy Day.

Thy cause, struggling France, is the cause of the world;

His tyranny over millions shall one man extend:

From their thrones be these monsters by Liberty hurl'd;

And each man to each prove protector & friend.

The Aera arrives, already 'tis near,

When this sound alone shall be brought to ear:

May Freedom and Friendship emit a joint ray,

To gild and adorn the Glorious Day.

[Page]

MURTOUGH O'BLANEY'S ESCAPE.

HERE's Murtough O'Blaney, just come from the wars,

My inside all empty, my outside all scars,

Compunction—I mean a compunction it feels,

So to die like a Christian I took to my heels.

Sing Balinamona, Ora,

I'll fight with the Frenchmen no more O,

I've got upon LIBERTY's shore, O,

Where fair play's no treason at all.

In Dublin they told me, with money in hand,

That [...] into Paris like heroes we'd land,

So I [...]sted it once to have share of the fun,

By St. Patrick that moment my troubles begun.

Sing Balinamona, Ora.

To the devil I pitch all the corps, O,

Their blarney I well may deplore, O,

Like crabs we advanc'd all along.

We had Lords for commanders, and Dukee in the rear

And took every day, sirs, new castles in air,

And something besides too, we took for our pains

Sound knock in abundance to settle our brains.

Sing Balinamona, Ora,

Our sconces the witnesses bore, O,

And this they call'd paying off score, O,

It gave me a head ach, I vow.

One night on the ground, as I lay in my bed,

Just taking a knap, to myself then I said,

We're gaining but losses, I'll make my retreat,

Look fast to my guts, and take care of my pate.

Sing Balinamona, Ora,

My cloaths and my patience got wore, O,

[Page] New quarters I went to exlpore, O,

America now is my home.

May blessing on blessings forever light down,

On the land I now live in, where Freedom's our own,

Where strangers are natives, with brothers all round,

And plenty to eat and to drink I'll be bound,

Sing Balinamona, Ora,

I'll feed upon promise no more, O,

In praise of this country I'll roar, O,

Arrah! who wou'dn't join in my song.

THE EAGLE OF FREEDOM.

SINCE the Eagle of Freedom is rous'd from her nest,

Let us chase her fell fiends on the hills of the west;

In a contest so glorious, we'll rise above pain,

For the soldiers of Freedom shall never complain.

As we march o'er the mountains that rise 'midst the clouds,

Where the blue mist of heaven the sun beams enshrouds;

Tho we labor o'er rocks and are delug'd with rain,

Yet the soldiers of Freedom shall never complain,

That our ardor is honest, our conduct shall prove,

While we act in support of that order we love;

These feelings of honor we'll ever retain,

And thy soldiers, O Freedom! shall never complain.

[Page] Tho the fair we have left may breathe the fond sigh,

And the drop of affection may moisten the eye,

Yet we soon, my brave lads, shall embrave them again,

And the daughters of Freedom shall never complain.

While our Federal Banner unfurls to the gale,

The serpent of faction shall never prevail;

The laws we'll defend them again and again,

And we'll ne'er give our country cause to complain.

TO HEAVEN'S EMPYREAL HEIGHT.

TO heaven's empyreal height

Did ministers of light

Their seats ascend;

A glorious order shone

Around th' Almighty throne,

Who thus his will made known;

Angels attend!

Mankind on earth below

Shall more enlighten'd grow;

Be this our care;

The world shall now be free,

Columbia, first to thee

We give the sacred tree;

Preserve it fair.

[Page]

He ceas'd and shook the spheres;

With loud applauding cheers

All nature rung:

Seraphs the concert join'd,

And heaven and earth combin'd,

And with enraptur'd mind

His praises sung.

To guide us thro the war,

Virginia's blazing star

Beam'd brighi its rays:

Tyrants behold the sight,

And struck with wild affright,

Like the pale bird of night,

In monring blaze.

Discord abounds no more,

Nor leaves our fields in gore;

She's broke her chains:

The gentle voice of peace

Bids all commotions cease,

And plenty's rich increase

Adorns our plains.

O! may this fabric stand,

And may its name expand

Till nature dies;

When earth's majestic frame

Shall sink absorb'd in flame,

And Washington's bright fame

To heaven shall rise.

[Page]

TREE OF LIBERTY.

WHILE war's crimson carnage is drenching the plains

Of Europe, and tyrants are forging their chains,

Our brethren to shackle, our song still should be

Success to the growth of the Liberty Tree!

On the blood of their people have tyrants long fed,

While to swell their curst coffers that blood hath shed;

But their teeth, lo! they gnash, while in anguish they see

Nations hailing triumphant the Liberty Tree!

Yes! the time is approaching, and fast rolls along

When air, earth, and ocean shall ring with the song,

And the Great Common Father his children shall see

O'er creation expanding the Liberty Tree!

With you, gen'rous Franks, our hearts they do beat,

Sympathize in disteess, and vict'ry greet,

Still wishing the joyful glad area to see,

When the shade's universal of Liberty Tree!

Then go on with the glorious work you've begun

Independency take for your shield and sun;

That despots may tremble with dread while they see

The branches extending of Liberty Tree!

[Page]

Lo! their slaves now they muster, and think to prevail,

But Freedom's victorious, tho millions assail,

Which hastens the moon, when, in jubilee

Mankind shall rejoice under Liberty Tree!

May Truth, Light, and Virtue descend from above

And fix the fair empire of Reason and Love!

From king-craft and priest-craft mankind they free

And forever entwine round the Liberty Tree!

The plant of Columbia's soil, the produce

Of its fruit how ennobling, and mild is the juice,

Which, the moment they taste it, gives mortals to see

What beauties are center'd in Liberty Tree!

No rays of false splendor, reflected from courts,

Can light a desire in Columbian hearts,

Such gew-gaws of pride and ambition to see,

By Reason united to Liberty Tree.

Columbia, while bless'd with the fair smiles of peace,

Stands a rival in glory with Rome & with Greece;

Let her sons then forget not "they fought to be Free,"

And in blood that they planted their Liberty Tree.

Having faith, that e'er long, the whole world will enjoy

What the shade of ages shall never destroy;

Turks, Africans, Russians, enlighten'd shall see,

And pluck the fair blossoms of Liberty Tree.

[Page]

That soon the mild goddess, sweet Peace, with her wings

Shall shelter the globe; and e'en tyrants & kings.

To citizens chain'd, with rapture shall see,

The wide spreading glory of Liberty Tree.

That east, west, north and south, shall catch the glad sound,

And loud Hymns of Freedom re-echo around:

While the one universal grang chorus shall be,

May immortality flourish our Liberty Tree!

COLUMBIA

COLUMBIA! Columbia! to glory arise,

The queen of the world, and the child of the [...];

Thy genius commands thee, with raptures behold,

While ages on ages thy splendors unfold:

Thy reign is the last, and the noblest of time,

Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime:

Let the climes of the east ne'er incrimson thy name,

Be freedom, and science, and vitue thy fame.

To conquest and slaughter, let Europe aspire,

Whelm nations in blood, wrap cities in fire;

Thy heroes the rights of mankind shall defend,

And triumph pursue them, and glory attend;

A wold is thy realm, for a world be thy laws,

Enlarg'd as thy empire, and just as thy cause;

On freedom's broad basis, that empire shal rise.

Extend with the main, and dissolve with the [...].

[Page]

Sair science her gate to thy sons shall unbar,

And the east see thy morn hide the beams of her star;

New bars and new ages unrival'd shall soar,

To same unextinguish'd, when time is no more:

To the last refuge of virtue's design'd,

Shall fly from all nations, the best of mankind;

There, grateful to Heaven, with transport shall bring,

Their incense more flagrant than odors of spring.

Nor less shall the fair ones to glory ascend.

And genius and beauty in harmony blend;

The graces of form shall awake pure desire,

And the charms of the soul still enliven the sire;

Their sweetness unmingled, their manners refin'd,

And virtue's bright image in stamp'd on the mind;

With peace and sweet rapture shall teach life to glow,

And light up a smile in the aspect of woe.

Thy fleets to all regions thy power shall display,

The nations admire, and the ocean obey;

Each shore to thy glory its tribute unfold,

And the east and the south yield their spices and gold;

As the day spring unbounded thy splendors shall flow,

And earth's little kingdoms before thee shall bow;

While the ensigns of union in triumph unfurl'd,

Hush anarchy's sway, and give peace to the world.

Thus as down a lone valley with cedars o'erspread,

From the noise of the town I pensively stray'd,

The gloom from the face fair Heaven retir'd,

The winds ceas'd to murmur, the thunders expir'd;

[Page] Perfumes as of Eden, flow'd sweetly along,

And a voice, as of angels, enchantingly sung,

Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise,

The queen of the wold, and the child of the skies.

THE RAISING.

COME muster, my lads, your mechanical tools,

Your saws and your axes, your hammers and rules.

Bring your mallets and and planes, your lever and line,

And plenty of pins of American pine;

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be,

A government firm, and our citizens free.

Come, up with the plates, lay them firm on the wall,

Like the people at large, they're the groundwork of all;

Examine them well, and see that they're sound,

Let no rotten parts in our building be found;

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be

Our Government's firm, and our citizens free.

Now hand up the girders, lay each in his place,

Between them the joists must divide all the space;

Like assembly men these shall lie level along,

Like girders our senate prove loyal and strong:

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be,

A government firm, and our citizens free.

[Page]

The rasters now frame—your king-posts and braces,

And drive you pins home, to keep all in their places;

Let wisdom and strength in the fabric combine,

And your pins be all made of American pine;

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be,

A government firm, over citizens free.

Our king posts are judges—how upright they stand,

Supporting the braces, the laws of the land;

The laws of the land, which divide right from wrong,

And strengthen the weak, by weak'ning the strong

For our roof we will raise, and our long still shall be,

Laws equal and just, for a people that's free.

Lo! up the rafters—each frame is a state!

How nobly they rise! their span, too, how great!

From the north to the south, o'er the whole they extend,

And rest on the walls, while the walls they defend!

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be,

Combined in strength, yet as citizens free.

Now enter the purlins, and drive your pins thro,

And see that your joints are drawn home, and all true;

The purlins will bind all the rafters together,

The strength of the whole shall defy wind and weather;

For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be,

United as States, but as Citizens Free.

[Page]

Come, raise up the turret, our glory and pride;

In the center it stands, o'er the whole to preside;

The sons of Columbia shall view with delight

Its pillars and arches and towering height;

Our roof is now rais'd, and our song still shall be,

A Federal Head o'er a people still free.

Huzza! my brave boys, our work is complete,

The world shall admire Columbia's fair seat;

Its strength against tempest and time shall be proof

And thousands shall come to dwell under our roof.

While we drain the deep bowl, our toast still shall be,

Our government firm, and our citizens free.

AMERICA.

TUNE—"RULE, BRITANNIA."

WHEN America first, at Heaven's command,

Arose to curb old Britain's pride,

Drive Tyranny from out the land,

Fair Freedom echo'd far and wide.

Rouse, America, rouse, be Free,

For Nature's God gave LIBERTY,

To thee belongs the peaceful reign;

Thy cities shall with commerce flow;

Thy ships explore the boundless main,

And plenty laugh at every foe,

Hail, America! thou art free,

The universe shall trade with thee.

[Page]

The nations not so blest as we

Shall in their turns to tyrants fall,

Whilst thou shalt rise triumphantly.

The glory and the joy of all.

Hail, America! thou art free,

The slavish Britons envy thee.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

Upheld by France's friendly wing,

And view thy commerce—swift it flies,

As Noptune's car—old ocean's king.

Hail, America! thou art free,

The sea-gods all are friends to thee.

Each haughty tyrant's sordid yoke,

Their vain attempts to bend thee down,

Shall fall beneath thy manly stroke,

With broken sceptre and lost crown!

Hail, America! thou art free,

Thou'st fought and bled for Liberty.

The Muses on seraphic wing,

Shall to thy happy coasts repair,

With laurel clown'd, and chant and sing,

To manly hearts, who guard the free.

Smile, America! thou art free,

The Muses all are friends to thee.

Congratulating bowls go round,

To WASHINGTON, and never cease;

In shouts triumph, with music crown'd,

To Safety, Liberty, and Peace,

Smile, America! thou art free,

In spite of George and tyranny.

[Page]

For FREEDOM! hearts and hands we'll join,

Blest independence, hope and joy!

The theme how noble, how divine!

Join, join the annual feu-de-joye.

Smile, America! thou art free,

A race of heroes springs from thee.

WHEN OUR FATHERS CAME O'ER.

WHEN our fathers came o'er,

To this wilderness shore,

They all hazards and dangers despis'd;

For by tyrants oppress'd,

They came hither in quest

Of FREEDOM, by the brave ever priz'd.

Twas with labor and toil,

They improved the soil,

For the wilderness bloom'd like the rose;

And with plenty being crown'd,

To the nations around

Terms of friendship and peace did propose.

But lo! each savage tribe,

With perfidy ally'd,

Were strangers to peace, friendship, and truth;

For tis scalps that they prize,

They are deaf to the cries

Of the infant, the aged, or youth.

At length they were quell'd,

And by valor compell'd,

With submission to sue for a peace;

[Page] Thus our fathers renown'd,

Were with victory crown'd,

And their offspring began to encrease.

So with LIBERTY bless'd,

They departed to rest,

And the fruits of their toil left their sons;

Whose firm hearts, like their fires,

Love of Freedom inspires,

And the shackles of Slavery shun.

For, behold British pride,

With oppression ally'd,

Soon disturb'd this our envied state:

First, with stamps they oppress'd,

Which, tho quickly redress'd,

They still cherish'd foul envy and hate.

But the tale is too long,

It would burthen my song,

To relate how they threaten'd us all;

That unless we'd submit

To the terms they thot fit,

Without mercy they on us would fall.

That such threats were in vain,

Is well known to each swain,

Who roams thro the lawn or the grove:

For proud Britons dismay'd,

Quickly beat the shamade,

And surrender'd to him whom all love.

No more let Britain boast,

Of her powerful host,

Ner her sov'reignty over the main;

[Page] For we've taught them to know

That tho numerous our foe,

We can conquer again and again.

Now to him that rules all

Who inhabit this ball,

Our warm gratitude sure will arise;

And in thanks we'll repeat,

The deliv'rance so great,

And the blessings of Liberty prize.

Notes

†

Sir Wm. Howe,

↵

*

Sir W. Erskine.

↵

*

The British officers were so fond of the word rebel, that they often applied it most absurdly.

↵

MASONIC SONGS.

THE PARTING.

ADIEU, a heart fond warm adieu,

Ye brothers of a mystic tye,

Ye favor'd and enlighten'd few,

Companions of my social joy.

Tho I to foreign lands must hie,

Pursuing fortune's slippery ball,

With melting heart and brimful eye,

I'll mind you still when far awa—

Oft have I met your social band,

To spend a chearful, festive night;

Oft honor'd with supreme command,

Presided o'er the sons of light.

And by that hieroglyphic bright

Which nought but craftsmen ever knew,

Strong mem'ry on my heart shall write

Those happy scenes when far awa—

[Page]

May Freedom, Harmony, and Love

Cement you in the grand design,

Beneath th' Omnicient Eye of Jove,

The glorious Architect divine.

That you may keep th' unerring rule,

Still guided by the plummet's law,

Till order bright completely shine,

Shall be my prayer, when far awa—

And you, farewell, whose merits claim

Justly that highest badge to wear;

May Heaven bless your noble name,

To Masonry and Friendship dear.

A last request permit me then,

When yearly you're assembled all,

One round, I ask it with a tear,

To him, the friend, that's far awa—

And you, kind hearted sisters fair,

I sing farewell to every charm;

Th' impression of your pleasing air,

With rapture oft my breast did warm;

Alas! the social winter's night

No more returns while breath we draw,

Till sisters, brothers, all unite

In that Grand Lodge that's far awa—

FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE.

[Page]

All clouds now dissolve; from the east beams the day—

Truth rises in glory and wakens the lay.

The Eagle-ey'd Muse—sees the light—fills the grove

With the song of Free Masons, of Friendship and Love!

Inspir'd with the theme, the Divinity flies;

And thron'd on a rainbow—before her arise

Past, Present, and Future—with splendid array,

In Masonic succession, their treasures display.

She views murder'd merit by ruffian hand fall,

And the grave give its dead up, at Fellowship's call!

While the Craft by their badges their innocence prove;

And the song of Free Masons is Friendship and Love!

From those ages remote, see the Muse speeds her way,

To join in the glories the Present display.

In Freedom and Friendship, she sees the true band

With their splendor and virtues illumine the land.

Religion's pure stream breaks the vapors of night,

And from darkness mysterious, the Word gives the light!

While the Lodge here below, as the choirs from above,

Join the song of Free Masons in Friendship and Love.

[Page]

As she sung thro the skies, angels echo'd the sound,

And the wind bore the notes to the regions around!

The kind proclamation our song shall retain:

Twas—"That Masonry long may its lustre maintain:

And till time be no more our fraternity prove,

That the objects we aim at, are Friendship and Love!"

MASONRY.

TUNE—MULBERRY TREE.

BEHOLD a cloud break and Urania descends,

The sky mantled nymph our Convention attends,

It is for the Craft that she sweeps the loud strings,

And Science attunes her sweet notes as she sings.

All the arts inform'd by me,

Bow to thee, blest MASONRY,

Creation spreads her charms to thee,

And thou immortal e'er shalt be.

Elated, all own that thy source is divine,

The Bible thy standard, thy square, and thy line;

That Truth is thy handmaid, and Reason thy soul,

And Justice thy guide to the farthermost pole.

All the arts, &c.

As wide and extensive as Sol's boundless ray,

[...] Spring and as bright as her May.

[Page] Sense, Truth, and Good Humor, and Harmony join,

By Masonry warm'd, they unite and combine;

To the Bower of Friendship she leads them along,

To taste of her banquits and chorus her song.

Then the arts, &c.

Behold the Free Mason, how noble his plan!

It enlarges the mind, and enobles the man,

It teaches the hand and the heart how to bless,

And melts e'en the miser to soften distress.

Then the arts, &c.

To Time's latest period the Crast so divine,

As the rays of their art shall diffusedly shine,

Their laws, rules, and orders, all others excel,

And Fame ever stand ready their virtues to tell.

While the arts, &c.

THE MASON'S LIFE.

A Mason's life's the life for me,

With joy we meet each other,

We pass our time with mirth and glee,

And hail each friendly Brother,

In Lodge no party feuds are seen,

But careful we in this agree,

To banish care or spleen.

The Master's call, we one and all,

With pleasure soon obey;

[...]

[Page] But when the glass goes round,

Then mirth and glee abound,

We're all happy to a man;

We laugh a little, we drink a little,

We work a little, we play a little,

We sing a little, are merry a little,

And swig the flowing can,

And swig, &c.

See in the east the Master stands,

The Wardens south and west, sir,

Both ready to obey command,

Find work or give us rest, sir.

The signal given, we all prepare,

With one accord obey the word,

To work by rule or square:

Or if they please, the ladder raise,

Or plumb the level line.

Thus we employ our time with joy,

Attending every sign;

But when the glass goes round,

Then mirth and glee abound,

We're all happy to a man;

We laugh a little, and drink a little,

We work a little, and play a little,

We sing a little, are merry a little,

And swig the flowing can.

Th' Almighty said, "Let there be light;"

Effulgent rays appearing,

Dispell'd the gloom, the glory bright

To this new world was cheering:

But unto Masonry alone,

Another light, so clear and bright,

In mystic rays then shone;

[Page] From east to west it spread so fast,

And Faith and Hoye unfurl'd,

And brot us thee, sweet Charity,

Thou darling of the world.

Then while the toast goes round,

Let mirth and glee abound,

Let's be happy to a man;

We'll laugh a little, and drink a little,

We'll work a little, and play a little,

We'll sing a little, be merry a little,

And swig the flowing can.

THE MASON'S GLORY.
FOR ST. JOHN'S DAY.

TUNE—WE HAVE NO IDLE PRATING.

I Sing of Mason's glory,

Renown'd thro history's pages;

Whose mystic light, resplendent bright,

Will shine to latest ages!

Still in amaze,

The world may gaze,

And pore upon our mystery;

They'll ne'er define

The Word nor Sign

Of the Free-born Sons of Masonry.

We boast each gon'rous virtue,

By which our nature's mended;

The enquiring mind in us will find

The Man and Christian blended!

[Page] Hail! Heav'n-born art,

That fills the heart

With Faith Divine, and Charity,

We bless the hour

That gave us pow'r

To view the Light of Masonry!

Behold the seat of Wisdom,

Adorn'd by matchless beauty;

See strength supports, our temples courts,

Whilst steady to our duty,

With hearts sincere,

My brethren dear,

We celebrate our Patron's day;

Whilst Friendship's bands

Unite our hands,

In Peace, in Love, and Harmony!

CHORUS.

Whilst Friendship's bands, &c.

BEHOLD YON DOME.
Addressed to the Craft, on entering a Lodge.

TUNE—SEE THE CONQUERING HERO COMES.

BEHOLD yon dome uprear'd on high,

Framed by an Architect Divine,

Whose lofty pillars reach the sky,

Where Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty join:

To form a building which shall stand,

In spite of Time's destroying hand.

[Page]

In it let us to work repair,

While solemn silence reigns around,

Be secrecy each Mason's care,

Lest babblers tread on hallow'd ground:

While we practise the mystic art,

T' improve the mind and cheer the heart.

Our noble order e'er shall brave

Oppression's scourge and Envy's sting;

Shall feed the hungry, free the slave,

And make the widow's heart to sing;

To no persuasion e'er confin'd,

It deals it blessings to mankind.

WHEN THE SUN FROM THE EAST.

WHEN the Sun from the East first salutes mortal eyes,

And the sky-lark melodiously bids us arise,

With our hearts full of joy we the summons obey,

Strait repair to our work, and to moisten our clay.

In the west stands a column bold noble and grand,

Whose foundation was laid by our Great Master's hand,

Each joint is cemented, and long shall endure,

Th' ingredients a compound of virtue so pure.

On the tressel behold our Great Architect's plan,

Its symbolic meaning no cowan can scag,

Not a model on earth is so lovely to view,

Each line is so perfect, each angle so true.

[Page]

Fellow crafts and apprentices lay down your tools,

Withdraw for awhile, show respect to our rules;

We shall call you again, when our Master commands,

For there's none but true workmen this job understands.

To order's the word, come for work let's prepare,

Some handle the level, some handle the square;

When our master commands then obedience we show,

And we ne'er take offence when he gives us a blow.

Here's a pillar unfinish'd, come all lend a hand,

To the East let us bring it, for there it must stand;

A mystical term on the same let's indent,

For this is our Grand Master's will and intent.

The shaft of a pillar extend on a line,

Until the pedestal unto it we join;

Then firmly cement it, and raise it again,

Bring it back to the West, and there let it remain.

Five regular angles the same must contain,

Which each true hearted brother alone can explain;

But they say its high twelve, so the curtain I'll draw

For it does not become me to tell all I saw.

YE DELICATE FAIR MAIDS.

YE delicate fair maids, with leave I maintain,

That happiness here you may find,

To yourselves I appeal for felicity's reign,

When you find a fond youth to you mind.

[Page]

When souls in soft union with fondness unite,

Inexpressive endearments arise,

Those symptoms of pleasure, Hope, Fear, &Delight

Are announc'd by those tell-tales—the eyes.

Can the sop or the sribble such feelings excite?

Come tell me, ye delicate maids,

Can insipid coxbombs give beauty its right?

No, no—they are shadows of shades.

Give me leave for to offer a man to your mind,

When delicate pleasures invite,

Accept of a Mason—try him, and you'll find

He can pay beauty's bill upon sight.

His lips without words find the way to your hearts,

When sympathies equal inspire,

Such sweet repetitious of love he imparts,

That heightens the flame of desire.

When beauty is lock'd in the charm of embrace,

What feelings those pressures excite!

In the arms of a Mason those pleasures you taste,

When he opens the scene of delight.

When fleeting life's stopp'd, by a kiss of his lips,

Love draws the dark curtain of night,

Such pleasing Da Capo's—the eyes in eclipse

Confirm the soft scene of delight.

A Mason you'll find him both true and sincere,

And worthy to sleep in you arms;

He's the man that can please you, my delicate fair,

And the man only worthy your charms.

[Page]

TRUE BLUE.

YE true sons of Freedom attend to my song,

While time unmolested sweet passes along,

No aid I'll invoke from a tea-drinking muse,

Dictated by reason I'll sing of true blues.

Derry down, &c.

Kings, Statesmen, and Patriots illustrious, chuse

The slant azure bandage, the badge of true blues;

To Britain's chief knighthood, the garter is due,

And that honor'd ribband is spotless true blue.

Derry down, &c.

To fully that standard each social disdains,

The royal true blue bids defiance to stains;

On the breast of each brother the ribband we view

Which shews that at heart he is pure and true blue.

Derry down, &c.

Our grand institution then ne'er let's profane,

Let our hearts like the ribband be free from a stain;

Let us love one another like brothers so crue,

Or else we're unworthy of wearing true blue.

Derry down, &c.

Let our actions be guided by compass and square,

Let us not be neglectful respecting the fair,

To us they prove constant, kind, loving, and true,

For the heart of a Mason they know is true blue.

Derry down, &c.

So now to conclude—all things have their time,

It is time for to drink to relish my rhyme;

Here's a health to each Mason that's honest and true,

Likewise to the fair maid who loves a true blue,

Derry down, &c.

[Page]

BACCHUS OPEN ALL THY TREASURE.

BACCHUS open all thy treasure,

Let sweet music charm the ear,

Love cements us all together,

Sons of HIRAM welcome here.

Vulgar, base, and sordid wretches

May despise us—what care we,

Slander write malignant sketches—

By the fruit we know the tree.

Come, my brothers, love unites us,

Come, let beauty be our toast;

Here's to her that can delight us,

The charming fair we prize the most.

Let us join our hands together,

May peace and love the cement be;

Charge your glasses, prime together,

Here's a health to Masons Free.

Thus in pleasure fondly sporting,

What can mortals wish for more,

But when death shall drop the curtain,

Then vale—the farce is o'er.

[Page]

THE MASON PORTRAYED.

CURIOSITY labors and longs for to know

Why Masons are children of Fame;

What makes them respected wherever they go,

Give me leave and the cause I'll explain.

A Mason's unaw'd by the sound ef a name,

He harbors no hate in his breast;

What his betters may do he pretends not to blame,

As he hopes they intend for the best.

He's upright and just; to his country he's true,

Likewise to his friend and his lass,

Sincerity bids him give merit its due;

Thus happy his moments do pass.

No office he flatters, compounds with no cheat,

But always takes honesty's part,

Belov'd and esteem'd by the good and the great,

And Charity dwells in his heart.

From his store with a generous hand he bestows

His mite to the indigent poor,

Compassion invites him wherever he goes,

When misery groans at the door.

The widow and orphan oppressed with grief,

When hunger and want on them wait,

His heart symphathising, he sends them relief;

Humanity stands at his gate.

Yes, this is the man, whom the good do revere,

Tho envy may aim to disgrace,

Undaunted he smiles, having nothing to fear,

While innocence beams in his face.

[Page]

What makes him belov'd is his merit you see,

But this to the base is unknown,

In the eye of a Mason the mote they can see,

But discern not the beam in their own.

ASSIST, MY MUSE.

ASSIST, my Muse, thine influence bring,

In praise of MASONRY I sing;

In flowing notes my voice shall raise,

To sing the worthy Mason's praise.

CHORUS.

Whose life is free from Envy's stain.

And while he lives will so remain.

Hail, oriental splendid Light,

And dove-ey'd Peace, with beauty bright,

Thine all-enliv'ning strength'ning rays

Doth crown our bliss with happy days.

Statesmen and Kings with hand and heart

Support—adorn our noble art.

With music sweet, sage Tubal Cain,

On the deep organ tun'd the strain;

Sweet melody inspir'd his tongue,

With lofty note he sweetly sung—

Hail, MASONRY!—from Heaven sent—

In thee alone we find content.

Benevolence, and mutual love,

Sent by our Master from above,

[Page] Are pillars of our Royal Art,

Engraved on each Mason's heart.

Those lofty pillars stand secure,

And shall the date of time endure.

Hail, Royal Art! from Heav'n reveal'd,

In Mason's heart thou art conceal'd;

Cowans may seek and knock in vain,

Our iv'ry keys their arts disdain.

Each Mason smiles and see, their art,

While prudence guards his faithful heart.

United thus—my brethren all,

Our noble structure cannot fall;

Let ignorance and envy rail,

Their baneful tongues shall not prevail.

Our ancient rites they cant survey,

For ev'ry brother keeps the key.

Thus shall our order long endure,

While founded on a rock secure;

May cowans meet the fatal blow,

Who wish a Mason's overthrow.

Forty-two thousand once were slain,

Because our rights they did profane.

Till worlds are from their centre tost,

And mountains in the ocean lost;

Till time ends its eternal round,

Shall Mason's lofty praise resound.

Each brother raise his voice with me,

And sing—Long live each Mason Free.

[Page]

ERE GOD THE UNIVERSE BEGAN.

ERE God the Universe began,

In one rude heap all matter lay,

And wide disorder overran,

Nor knew one glimpse, one glimmering ray,

While confusion o'er the whole,

And darkness reign'd without controul

Then God arose, his thunders hurl'd,

And bade the elements arise;

In air he hung the pendant world,

And round it fix'd the azure skies,

Stars in circles caus'd to run,

And in the centre fix'd the sun.

Then man he call'd forth out of dust,

And breath'd in him a living soul,

All things committed to his trust,

He made him master o'er the whole;

But ungrateful unto Heaven

He prov'd, and was from Eden driven.

From thence proceeded all our woes,

Nor could mankind one comfort share;

Until FREE MASONS great arose,

And form'd another Eden here:

Where true pleasure ever reigns,

And native innocence remains.

There streams of comfort gently flow,

There's nought that's vile dare enter in,

The tree of knowledge there doth grow,

Whose fruit we taste yet free from sin,

Sol shines one universal ray,

This we enjoy whilst we obey.

[Page]

CONVEN'D WE'RE MET.

CONVEN'D we're met my jovial souls,

With sparkling wine come fill our bowls,

Let Concord be the toast;

With glass in hand let each agree

To sing in praise of MASONRY,

What mortal more can boast.

Here dove-ey'd Peace, celestial maid,

Stands ready, waiting for to aid,

And guard the sacred door;

Here's Charity, from Heaven sent

To bridg her freeborn sons content,

And comfort to the poor.

See, in the east, effulgent shine,

Bright Wisdom with his rays divine,

Hark! Hark! the solemn sound:

"While thus we live in mutual love,

We taste what angels do above,

Here happiness is found.

The fruit of Eden's tree we taste,

Its balmy joys are our repast,

Here Freedom cheers the heart;

The indigent opprest with grief,

Gains from his brother's hand relief,

Each to his wants impart.

Kings, Dukes, and Lords, with us combine

To trace our mysteries divine,

And find the pleasing light;

With pleasure we pursue the plan

While friendship rivets man to man—

How pleasing is the sight!"

[Page]

United thus our structure stands,

Untouch'd by sacriligious hands,

A monument of Fame;

Nor envious foes shall e'er deface

The virtues that our order grace,

Or blast a Mason's name.

Till Heaven sends her summons forth,

From east to west, from south to north,

Her chosen sons to call;

While time runs his continual round,

Shall Fame with golden trumpet sound,

Masons shall never fall.

ARISE AND SOUND THY TRUMPET FAME.

ARISE and sound thy trumpet Fame,

Free Masonry aloud proclaim,

To realms and worlds unknown;

Tell them twas this great David's son,

The wise, the matchless Solomon,

Priz'd far above his throne.

Those lofty temples, cloud-cap't tow'rs,

Those stately domes are works of ours,

By us those piles were rais'd,

Then let mankind with songs advance,

And thro the etherial vast expanse

Let Masory be prais'd.

We help the poor in time of need,

The naked clothe, the hungry feed,

Tis our foundation stone,

[Page] We build upon the noblest plan,

While Friendship rivets man to man,

Uniting all in one.

Sweet harmony our order grace,

Here friendship smiles in every face,

Cemented all in love,

Obedient to our Master grand—

Obedience was the first command,

That came from heaven above.

Thy trumpet, Fame, yet louder blow,

And let the distant regions know

Free Masonty is this:

Almighty Wisdom gave it birth,

While Heav'n fix'd it here on earth,

A type of future bliss.

BEFORE I BECAME A FREE-MASON.

BEFORE I became a Free Mason,

Some said twas a damnable thing,

Some said it was witchcraft and treason,

And swore that the devil reign'd king.

I thot to myself I will venture,

And went without further delay

With a firm resolution to enter,

To a Lodge, then, I hasted away.

I met an old friend and relation,

Whom I heard was a mason before,

To him I soon made application,

He carried the news to the door;

He bid me to tarry with patience,

Straitway to the room did repair,

[Page] And soon he return'd with an answer,

And bid me to come and prepare.

Good Heaven! then how my heart panted,

Expecting to meet with old Nick;

The report I had taken for granted,

My conscience began for to prick;

But I found it a matter more serious,

Tho never a word I yet spoke,

The way that I went was mysterious,

I felt it no humor to joke.

Thro dark dismal shades how I blunder'd,

Lord help me! in private I cry'd,

With a voice, unto me it seem'd thunder,

One question'd my friend and my guide,

Saying brother who's this you are leading?

My case unto him he made known;

My guide was my lawyer in pleading,

And carried my cause to the throne.

Then Wisdom he taught me my duty,

He gave me new light to my eyes,

I was struck with such majestic beauty,

Which fill'd my poor heart with surprise;

He told me that I was his brother,

And that I had nothing to fear,

We love and respect one another,

So come and partake of our cheer.

But what I saw there I cant tell ye,

Tho this I may say without fear,

I found something good for the belly,

And believe me there's no devil there.

And now for to tell you my mind, sir,

But not what was told unto me,

Before I went there I was blind, sir,

But now with both eyes I can see.

[Page]

THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASON

WHEN quite a young spark

I was in the dark,

And wanted to alter my station;

I went to a friend,

Who prov'd, in the end,

A Free and an Accepted Mason.

At a door he then knock'd,

Which quickly unlock'd,

When he bid me to put a good face on

And not be afraid,

For I shou'd be made

A Free and an Accepted Mason.

My wishes were crown'd,

And a Master I found,

Who made a most solemn oration,

Then shew'd me the light,

And gave me the right

Sign, Token, and Word, of a Mason.

How great my amaze,

When I first saw the blaze!

And how struck with the mystic occasion

Astonish'd! I found,

Tho free, I was bound

To a Free and an Accepted Mason.

When clothed in white,

I took great delight

In the work of this noble vocation:

And knowledge I gain'd,

When the Lodge he explain'd

Of a Free and an Accepted Mason

[Page]

I was bound; it appears,

For seven long years,

Which to me is of trifling duration:

With freedom I serve,

And strain ev'ry nerve

To acquit myself like a good Mason.

A bumper then fill

With an hearty good will,

To our Master pay due veneration;

Who taught us the art

We ne'er will impart,

Unless to an Accepted Mason.

HAIL, MASONRY!

HAIL, MASONRY! thou craft divine!

Glory of earth, from Heav'n reveal'd;

Which dost with jewels precious shine,

From all but Masons eyes conceal'd;

Thy praises due who can rehearse,

In nervous prose, or flowing verse!

As men from brutes distinguish'd are,

A Mason other men excels;

For what is knowledge choice and rare,

But in his breast securely dwells?

His silent breast, and faithful heart,

Preserve the secrets of the art.

From scorching heat and piercing cold,

From beasts whose roar the Forest rends,

From the assaults of warriors bold,

The Masons art mankind defends:

[Page] Be to this art due honor paid,

From which mankind receives such aid.

Ensigns of state that feed our pride,

Distinctions troublesome and vain!

By Masons true are laid aside;

Art's free-born sons such toys disdain,

Ennobled by the name they bear,

Distinguish'd by the badge they wear.

Sweet fellowship, from envy free,

Friendly converse of brotherhood,

The Lodge's lasting cement be!

Which has for ages firmly stood,

A Lodge thus built, for ages past

Has lasted, and will ever last.

Then in our songs be justice done,

To those who have enrich'd the art,

From Adam to great Leven down,

And let each brother bear a part;

Let our Grand-Master's health go round,

His praise in ev'ry lodge resound.

MASONIC GLEE.

HAIL, Mysterious glorious science!

Which to discord bids defiance,

Harmony alone reigns here—

Come let's sing to him that rais'd us,

From the rugged path that maz'd us,

To the Light that we revere.

Hail, Mysterious, &c.

ENTERTAINING SONGS.

[Page]

THE PROPHETS.

IN the first book of Job, which I now mean to quote,

At the fifth and sixth verses you'll find it thus wrote;

So Moses invited the Prophets to dine,

And drink a few bottles of gooseberry wine.

Derry Down.

Then Moses was plac'd in the chair in a trice,

And Aron his crony deputed his vice,

When the glass moving quick, and the wine moving strong,

Moses swore they should'nt stir till they each sang a song.

Derry Down.

Some looked askew, which Moses well saw,

But what Moses said, why you know sir was law,

Nay, he frankly declar'd, that should any decline,

He'd fine them a bumper of gooseberry wine.

Derry Down.

Little David, it seems, sir, first was the choice,

For they very well knew he'd an excellent voice;

He declar'd he could'nt sing, they swore 'twas a thumper,

And poor little Davy was fin'd in a bumper.

Derry Down.

Rear admiral Noah, whom much has been said of,

And his jaunt on the water, which we all have read of,

[Page] Not liking their gooseberry, call'd for a dram,

Then gave them this song, which he sang to young Ham.

Derry Down.

"And bearing up to gain the port,

"Some well known object kept in view,

"A beacon-tow'r, or harbor fort,

"Which e'er the flood old Noah knew;

"Whilst oft the lead young Japhet flung,

"And to his watchful father sung

"By the mark seven!"

Ezekiel rose next, sir, a very great smoaker,

But in lighting his pipe, burnt his nose with the poker;

Being skilful in music, and proud of his voice,

With exquisite fancy this song was his choice.

Derry Down.

"Why Mosy, why Aron, my boys,

"I'm glad I have met with you here,

"For Zeky, as all of you knows,

"Is fond of a drap of good beer;

"If you mean for to pass all the night,

"Why say such our purpose intends,

"And faith we will have a good bout,

"For I loves a full pot with my friends."

Then Solomon rose, sir, all in his glory,

And said he'd much rather tell them a story;

But the cry against that was a great deal too strong,

For they would have nothing but Solomon's song.

Derry Down.

"I've kiss'd and I've prattled with fifty fair maids

"And chang'd them as oft as you see,

"But of all the Fair maidens that sport on the green,

"Queen Sheba's the girl for me;

"Queen Sheba's the girl, &c.

[Page]

Next Habbakuk rose, for they took them in course,

But Habbakuk's cold made Habbakuk hoarse;

He declar'd he could'nt sing any more than the moon,

But if Moses pleas'd, he'd whistle a tune.

Derry Down.

(LILLABULLEN.)

Jeremiah rose next, sir, at Moses' desire,

(Whom wine, wit, or woman could never inspire)

And in strains that would suit the last conflagration,

He sung then a verse of his own lamentation.

Derry Down.

"I sigh and lament me in vain,

"These walls do but echo my moan,

"Alas! it increases my pain,

"When I think of the days that are gone.

"Thro the grate of my prison I see,

"The boys at marbles they play,

"I cry and exclaim out, ah me,

"I once could play better than they."

Then up rose little Jonah, who look'd like a jelly,

For he had just come, sir, from the whale's belly,

For three days and three nights, he was left to despair,

But he'd sing to Moses what he suffered there.

Derry Down.

"Cease rude Boreas, blust'ring railer,

"List ye landsmen all to me,

"Messmates hear a brother whaler,

"Sing the dangers of the sea;

[Page] "In the horrid belly pent, sir,

"Think on what I suffer'd there,

"Fore'd to keep a dismal lent, sir,

"And to breathe infectious air,

"Nought but fish to feed upon sir,

"And compell'd to eat it raw,

"Ev'ry hope was nearly gone, sir,

"Ere I left the monster's maw.!'

Then Sampson rose next, once in prowess so big,

But at that time friend Sampson had just lost his wig;

He lamented most loudly his dire mishap,

How his wife shav'd his head as he slept in her lap.

Derry Down.

"O dear! what can the matter be!

"Dear! Dear! what can the matter be!

"Dear oh! what can the mrtter be!

"Sampson has lost all his hair!

"Oh! that I ere should have taken so sound a nap!

"Oh! that I e'er should have taken it in her lap!

"Oh! that I had but ty'd on my red night cap!

"Then Sampson had not lost his hair!"

They next call'd on Job, as a song was his fort,

And they begg'd, as 'twas late, his song might be short;

But he sung chevy chace to a dismal psalm tune,

Which the Prophets all thot would have lasted till noon.

Derry Down.

Now Moses, who always very good hours kept,

As they sat a singing, why he sat and slept,

Till wak'd by the noise of their calling encore,

He bade them get home for they should'nt drink more.

Derry Down.

[Page]

Well bred Aron, it seems sir, at this took offence,

And said "Want of good manners was want of good sense;"

This caus'd a dispute, some reflections were cast,

But for decency's sake we'll not mention what past.

Derry Down.

THE SILVER MOON.

THE silver moon that shines so bright,

I swear with reason is my teacher;

And if my minute glass was right,

We've time to drink another pitcher.

'Tis not yet day, 'tis not yet day,

Then why should we forsake good liquor

Until the sun-beams round us play,

Let's jocound push about the pitcher.

They say that I must work all day,

And sleep at night to grow much richer;

But what is all the world can say,

Compar'd to mirth, my friend, and pitcher.

'Tis not yet day, &c.

Tho one may boast a handsome wife,

Yet strange vagaries may bewitch her;

Unvex'd I live a cheerful life,

And boldly call for t'other pitcher.

'Tis not yet day, &c.

I dearly love a hearty man,

(No sneaking milk sop Jemmy Twitche.)

[Page] Who loves a lass, and loves a glass,

And boldly calls for t'other pitcher.

'Tis not yet day, &c.

THE WAY WORN TRAVELLER.

FAINT and wearily the way worn traveller,

Clods uncherily afraid to stop;

Wand'ring drearily, and fad unraveller

Of the mazes towards the mountains top;

Doubting, fearing, while his course he's steering,

Cottagers appearing as he's like to drop;

O how briskly then the way worn traveller,

Treads the mazes towards the mountain's top.

The so melancholy day is past,

'Twould be folly sure to think on't more,

Blythe and jolly he the can holds fast by,

As he's seated at the goat-herd's door:

Eating, quaffing, at past labours laughing,

Better far by half in spirits than before;

O how merry then the rested traveller,

Sings while seated at the goat-herd's door.

BONNY BET.

NO more I'll court the town-bred fair,

Who shines in artificial beauty,

For native charms, without compare,

Claim all my love, respect, and duty.

[Page]

CHORUS.

O my bonny, bonny Bet, sweet blossom,

Was I a king so proud to wear thee,

From off the verdant couch I'd bear thee,

To grace thy faithful lover's bosom.

O my bonny, bonny Bet, &c.

Yet ask me where these beauties lie,

I cannot say in smile or dimple,

In blooming cheeks or radient eye,

'Tis happy nature wild and simple.

O my bonny, bonny Bet, &c.

Let dainty beaux for ladies pine,

And sigh in numbers trite and common,

Ye gods one darling wish be mine,

And all I ask is lovely woman.

O my bonny, bonny Bet, &c.

Come dearest girl, the rosy bowl,

Like thy bright eye with pleasure dancing,

My heaven art thou, so take my soul,

With rapture every sense entrancing.

O my bonny, bonny Bet, &c.

THE MOMENT AURORA.

THE moment Aurora peep'd into my room,

I put on my clothes and I call'd to my groom;

And my head heavy still, from the fumes of last night,

Took a bumper of brandy to set all things right.

[Page] And now we're well saddled Fleet, Dapple, and Grey,

Who seem'd longing to hear the glad sound hark away.

Will Whistle by this had uncoupl'd his hounds,

Whose extacy nothing could keep within bounds,

First forward came Jowler, then Scentwell, then Snare,

Three better slauncsh harriers ne'er started a hare;

Then Sweetlips, then Driver, then Staunch, and then Tray,

All ready to open at hark, hark away.

'Twas now by the clock about five in the morn,

And we all gallop'd off to the sound of the horn;

Jack Gater, Bill Babler, and Dick at the gun,

And by this time the merry Tom Fairplay made one,

Who, while we were jogging on blithsome and gay,

Sung a song, and the chorus was—Hark, hark away.

And now Jemmy Lurcher had every bush beat,

And no signs of madam, nor trace of her feet;

Nay, we just had begun our sad fortunes to curse,

When all of a sudden out starts Mrs. Puss;

Men, horses, and dogs, all the glad-call obey,

And the echo was heard to cry—hark, hark away

The chace was a fine one, she took o'er the plain,

Which she doubled, and doubled, and doubled again;

'Till at last she to cover return'd out of breath,

Where I and Will Whistle were in at the death;

[Page] Then in triumph for you I the hare did display,

And cry'd to the horns, my boys—hark, hark away.

TOM BOWLING.

HERE, a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling

The darling of our crew;

No more he'll hear the tempest howling,

For death has broach'd him too.

His form was of the manliest beauty,

His heart was kind and soft;

Faithful below he did his duty,

And now he's gone a loft,

And now he's gone a loft.

Tom never from his word departed,

His virtues were so rare,

His friends were many and true-hearted

His Poll was kind and fair:

And then he'd sing so blithe and jolly;

Ah many's the time and oft!

But mirth is turn'd to melancholy,

For Tom is gone a loft.

Yet shall poor Tom find pleasant weather,

When he who all commands,

Shall give, to call life's crew together,

The word to pipe all hands.

Thus death, who kings and tars dispatches,

In vain Tom's life has dost'd;

For, tho' his body's under hatches,

His soul is gone a loft.

[Page]

THE GIRL OF MY HEART.

IN the world's crooked path, where I've been,

There to share in life's gloom my poor heart,

The sunshine that soften'd the scene

Was—a smile from the girl of my heart.

Not a swain, when the lark quits her nest,

But to labor with glee will depart,

If at eve he expects to be blest

With a smile from the girl of his heart.

Come then crosses, and cares as they may,

Let my mind still this maxim impart,

That the comfort of man's fleeting day

Is—a smile from the girl of his heart.

WHEN FIRST I SLIPT MY LEADING STRINGS.

WHEN first I slipt my leading strings—to please my little Poll,

My mother bot me at the fair a pretty waxen doll,

Such sloe black eyes and cherry cheeks, the smiling dear possest,

How could I kiss it oft enough, or hug it to my breast.

No sooner I could prattle it, as forward misses do,

Than how I long'd and sigh'd to hear my dolly prattle too;

I curl'd her hair in ringlets neat, and dress'd her very gay,

And yet the sulky hussey, not a syllable would say.

[Page] Provok'd that to my questions kind, no answer I could get,

I shook the little hussey well, and whip'd her in a pet;

My mother cry'd, Oh, fie upon't—pray let your doll alone,

If e'er you wish to have a pretty baby of your own.

My head on this I blidled up, and threw the plaything by,

Altho my sister snubb'd me for't—I knew the reason why—

I fancy she would wish to keep the sweethearts all her own,

But that she shan't, depend upon't—when I'm a woman grown.

THE WEALTHY FOOL.

THE wealthy fool with gold in store,

Will still desire to grow richer;

Give me but these, I ask no more,

My charming girl, my friend and pitcher,

My friend so rare, my girl so fair,

With these what mortal can be richer,

Give me but these, a fig for care,

With my sweet girl, my friend and pitcher.

From morning sun I'd never grieve,

To toil a hedger or ditcher,

If that when I came home at eve

I might enjoy my friend and pitcher.

My friend so rare, &c.

[Page] Tho fortune ever shuns my door.

I know not what 'tis can bewitch her;

With all my heart can I be poor—

With my sweet girl, my friend and pitcher.

My friend so rare, &c.

TALLY HO.

YE sportment draw near, and ye sportswomen too,

Who delight in the joys of the field,

Mankind, tho they blame, are all eager as you,

And no one the contest will yield;

His lordship, his worship, his honor, his grace,

A hunting continually go,

All ranks and degrees are engag'd in the chace.

With hark forward, huzza! tally ho.

The lawyer will rise with the first in the morn,

To hunt for a mortgage or deed,

The husband gets up at the sound of the horn,

And rides too the common full speed;

The patriot is thrown in suit of the game,

The poet too often lies low,

Who, mounted on Pegasus flies after Fame,

With hark forward, huzza! tally ho.

While fearless o'er hills, and o'er woodland we sweep,

Tho prudes our pastimes may frown,

How oft do they decency's bounds o'erleap,

And the fences of of virtue break down?

Thus public, or private, for pension, for place,

For amusement, for passion, for show,

All ranks and degrees are engag'd in the chace,

With hark forward, huzza! tally ho.

[Page]

WITHIN A MILE OF EDINBURGH.

Sung at the THEATRES, New York.

'TWAS within a mile of Edinburgh town,

In the rosy time of the year,

Sweet flowers bloom'd, and the grass was down,

And each shepherd woed his dear:

Bonny Jockey, blith and gay,

Kiss'd sweet Jenny making hay:,

The lassie blush'd, and frowning cry'd no, no, it will not do;

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too.

Jockey was a wag that never would wed,

Tho long he had follow'd the lass,

Contented she earn'd and eat her brown bread,

And merrily turn'd up the grass:

Bonny Jockey, blith and free,

Won her heart right merrily,

Yet still she blush'd, and frowning cry'd, no, no, it will not do,

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle to.

But when he vow'd he would make her his bride,

Tho his slocks and herds were not few,

She gave him her hand, a kiss beside,

And vow'd she'd forever be true;

Bonny Jockey, blith and free,

Won her heart right merrily,

At church she no more frowning cry'd, no, no, it will not do,

I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle to.

[Page]

BRIGHT PHEBUS.

BRIGHT Phebus has mounted the chariot of day

And the horns and the hounds call each sportsman away;

Thro meadows and woods with speed now they bound,

Whilst health, rosy health, is in exercise found,

Hark away is the word to the sound of the horn,

And echo, blith echo, makes jovial the morn.

Each hill and each valley is lovely to view,

While puss flies the covert and dogs quick pursue;

Behold where she flies o'er the wide spreading plain,

While the loud opening pack pursues her amain. Hark away, &c.

At length puss is caught, and lies panting for breath,

And the shout of the huntsman's the signal for death,

No joys can delight like the sports of the field,

To hunting all pastime and pleasure must yield.

Hark away, &c.

JOCKEY TO THE FAIR.

TWAS on the morn of sweet May day,

When nature painted all things gay,

Taught birds to sing, and lambs to play,

And gild the meadows rare:

Young Jockey early in the dawn,

Arose, and tript it o'er the lawn;

[Page] His Sunday's coat the youth put on,

For Jenny had vow'd away to run

With Jockey to the fair.

For Jenny had vow'd, &c.

The cheerful parish bells had rung,

With eager steps he trudg'd along,

With flow'ry garlands round him hung,

Which shepheads us'd to wear:

He tapt the window—Haste my dear;

Jenny impatient cry'd—Who's there?

Tis I, my love, and no one near;

Step gently down, you've nought to fear,

With Jockey to the fair.

My dad and mam are fast asleep,

My brother's up, and with the sheep;

And will you still you promise keep

Which I have heard you swear?

And will you ever constant prove?

I will by all the powers above,

And ne'er deceive my charming dove:

Dispel those doubts, and haste, my love,

With Jockey to the fair.

Behold the ring, the shepherd cry'd,

Will Jenny be my charming bride?

Let Cupid be our happy guide,

And Hymen meet us there—

Then Jockey did his vows renew,

He would be constant, would be true:

His word was pledg'd—away she flew,

With cowslips tipt with balmy dew,

With Jockey to the fair.

[Page]

'TWAS WHEN THE SAES WERE ROARING.

'TWAS when the seas were roaring

With hollow blasts of wind;

A damsel lay deploring,

All on a rock reclin'd.

Wide o'er the foaming billows

She cast a wishful look;

Her head was crown'd with willows

That trembled o'er the brook.

Twelve months are gone and over,

And nine long tedious days:

Why didst thou, vent'rous lover,

Why didst thou trust the seas!

Cease, cease, thou cruel ocean,

And let my lover rest:

Ah! what's thy troubled motion

To that within my breast!

The merchant, robb'd of treasure,

Views tempests in despair;

But what's the loss of treasure

To loosing of my dear!

Should you some coast be laid on,

Where gold and di'monds grow,

You'd find a richer maiden,

But none that loves you so.

How can they say that nature

Has nothing made in vain;

Why then beneath the water

Do hedious rocks remain;

No eyes these rocks discover,

That lurk beneath the deep,

[Page] To wreck the wand'ring lover,

And leave the maid to weep.

All melancholy lying,

Thus wail'd she for her dear;

Repaid each blast with sighing,

Each billow with a tear:

When o'er the white wave stooping,

His floating corpse she spied:

Then, like a lily, drooping,

She bow'd her head, and died.

THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.

IN a mouldring cave, where the wretched retreat,

Britannia sat wested with care;

She wept for her WOLFE, then exclaim'd against fate;

And gave herself up to dispair,

The walls of her cell were insculptur'd around

With the exploits of her favorite sun;

And even the dust as it lay on the ground,

Was engrav'd with the deeds he had done.

The Sire of the gods, from his chrystiline throne,

Beheld this disconsolate dame;

And mov'd with her fate he sent Mercury down,

And these were the tidings that came.

Britannia forbear, not a sigh, nor a tear,

For thy Wolfe so deser vedly lov'd,

Your grief shall be chang'd into triumph of joy,

For thy Wolfe is not dead, but remov'd.

The sons of the earth, the proud giants of old

Have broke from their darksome abodes.

[Page] And such is the news as in heaven it is told,

They are marching to war with the gods;

A council was held in the chamber of Jove,

Where they came to this final decree,

That Wolfe should be call'd to the armies above.

And the charge was intrusted to me.

To the plains of Quebec with these orders I flew,

He beg'd for a moment's delay,

He cry'd, Oh! forbear, let me victory hear,

And then thy commands I'll obey;

With a dark'ning film I encompass'd his eyes,

And convey'd him away in an urn;

Lest the fondness he bore for his own native shore

Should persuade him again to return.

THE INDIAN DEATH SONG.

THE sun sets in night, an the stars shun the day,

But glory remains when their lights fade away;

Begin ye tormentors, your threats are in vain,

For the son of Alknomook shall never complain.

Remember the arrows he shot from his bow;

Remember your chiefs by his hatchet laid low:

Why so flow?—do you wait till I shrink from my pain?

No—the son of Alknomook shall never complain.

Remember the wood—where in ambush welay,

And the scalps which we bore from your nation away:

Now the flame rises fast! you exult in my pain;

But the son of Alknomook shall never complain.

[Page] I go to the land where my father is gone;

His ghost will rejoice in the fame of his son:

Death comes like a friend,—he relieves me from pain;

And the son of Alknomook has scorn'd to complain.

THE ROSE TREE.

A Rose-tree in full bearing,

Had sweet flow'rs fair to see—

One rose beyond comparing,

For beauty attracted me.

Tho eager once to win it,

Lovely, blooming, fresh, and gay,

I find a canker in it,

And now throw it far away.

How fine this morning early,

The sun shining clear and bright;

So late I lov'd you dearly,

Tho lost now each fond delight.

The clouds seem big with show'rs,

Sunny beams no more are seen,—

Farewell ye happy hours,

Your falshood has chang'd the scene.

ANNA'S URN.

ENCOMPASS'D in an angel's frame,

An angel's virtues lay;

Too soon did heav'n assert its claim,

And call'd its own away,

[Page] My Anna's worth, my Anna's charms,

Can never more return:

What then shall fill these widow'd arms,

Ah me! my Anna's urn.

Can I forget that bliss resin'd,

Which, blest with her, I knew?

Our hearrs, in sacred bonds entwin'd,

Were bound by love too true.

That rural train which once were us'd

In festive dance to turn,

So pleas'd, when Anna they amus'd,

Now weeping deck her urn.

The soul escaping from its chain,

She clasp'd me to her breast,

To part with thee is all my pain,

She cry'd then sunk to rest.

While mem'ry shall her seat retain,

From beauteous Anna torn,

My heart shall breathe its ceaseless strain

Of sorrow o'er her urn.

There, with the earliest dawn, a dove

Laments her murder'd mate;

There Philomela, lost to love,

Tells the pale moon her fate.

With yew and ivy round me spread.

My Anna there I'll mourn;

For all my soul, now she is dead,

Concenters in her urn.

[Page]

TOASTS AND SENTIMENTS.

Gratitude to our friends, and generosity to our enemies.

May the poor merit esteem, and the rich veneration.

May the volume of beauty never be stained by contaminated fingers.

May the chearful heart never want an agreeable companion.

May the honey of rectitude sweeten the bitterness of sorrow.

May the heart never covet what the hand has no right to.

May virtue in distress always meet a liberal protector.

May fortune fill the lap where charity guides the hand.

May the voyage of life end in the haven of happiness.

The unity of hearts in the union of hands.

The gate of life—and may it never be shut against the honest.

The lovers of virtue in the arms of beauty.

The man we prize and the maid we love.

Valor without cruelty, and virtue without hypocricy.

Wit without virulence, wine without excess, and wisdom without affectation.

Warmth to every heart in a good cause.

Prosperity to the liberty of the press in asserting the rights of the people.

May the wreath of victory ever flourish on the brow of LIBERTY.

CONTENTS.

[Page]

A song, a song is the cry, Page 11

As Colinet and Phebe sat, Page 19

Adieu, a heart fond warm adieu, Page 37

A Mason's life's the life for me, Page 41

Assist, my muse, thine influence bring, Page 51

Arise and sound thy trumpet Fame, Page 55

A rose tree in full bearing, Page 79

Behold a cloud break and Urania deseends, Page 40

Behold you dome upreard on high, Page 44

Bucchus open all thy treasure, Page 49

Before I became a Free Mason, Page 56

Bright Phebus had mounted the ebariot of day, Page 74

Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise, Page 29

Come muster, my lads, your mechanical tools, Page 31

Curiosity labors and longs for to know, Page 50

Conven'd we're met, my jovial souls, Page 54

Ere God the universe began, Page 53

Encompass'd in an angel's form, Page 79

Faint and wearily the way worn traveller, Page 66

Gallants attend, and hear a friend, Page 8

Hail, lovely maid! Hail, power divine! Page 5

Hail, great Republic of the world! Page 6

Hail, ever momorable day! Page 12

Hail, America! hail! unrival'd in same, Page 16

Here's Murtough O'Blaney, Page [...]

Hail, Masonry! thou craft divine, Page 59

Hail, mysterious glorious science Page 60

Here, a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling Page 69

[Page] In a chariot of light from the regions of day, Page 1 [...]

I sing of Mason's glory Page 43

In the first book of Job, which I now mean to quote, Page 61

In the world's crooked path, where I've been, Page 70

In a mouldering cave, where the wretched retreat, Page 77

Let the poets of England write odes on their king Page 19

No peerage we covet, no sceptres desire Page 13

Not the fictions of Greece, nor the dreams of old Rome Page 38

No more I'll court the town hred fair Page 66

O, think on my fate! once I Freedom enjoy'd Page 3

Since the eagle of Freedom is rous'd from her nest Page 24

The genius of France from his star begem'd throne Page 21

To heaven's empyreal height Page 25

The silver moon that shines so bright Page 65

The moment Aurora peep'd into my room Page 67

The wealthy fool with gold in store Page 71

Twas when the seas were roaring Page 76

Twas within a mile of Edinguigh town Page 73

Twas on the morn of sweet May day Page 74

The sun sets in night, and the stars shun the day Page 78

Toasts and Sentiments, Page 81

Unfold, father Time! thy long records unfold Page 4

While war's crimson carnage is drenching the plains Page 27

When America first at heaven's command Page 33

When our fathers came o'er Page 35

When the sun from the east first salutes mortal eyes Page 45

When quite a young spark Page 58

When first I slipt my leading strings Page 70

Ye sons of France, awake to glory Page 17

Ye delicate fair maids, with leave I maintain Page 46

Ye true sons of Freedom attend to my song Page 48

Ye sportsmen draw near, and ye sportswomen too Page 72

Information about this book

Title statement

The Nightingale of liberty: or Delights of harmony. A choice collection of patriotic, Masonic, & entertaining songs. : To which are added toasts and sentiments, moral, humorous, and republican. ...

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2011-05.

ID [DLPS]

N24608

ID [TCP]

N24608

ID [STC]

Evans 32584

ID [NOTIS]

APX7949

ID [IMAGE-SET]

32584

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99024841

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 32584.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N24608)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 32584)

Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 32584)

Source

— The Nightingale of liberty: or Delights of harmony. A choice collection of patriotic, Masonic, & entertaining songs. : To which are added toasts and sentiments, moral, humorous, and republican. ...,

Extent

[2], 83, [1] p.

Printed by John Harrisson, and sold at his book-store, no. 3 Peck-Slip.,. New-York: :: 1797.. (Contains 59 songs, all indexed.) (Bookseller's advertisement, p. [2].)

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