Today is the day we remember and celebrate the Declaration of Independence from the British Government of The Free and Independent States of America.
"For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."The following song was written by Dr. Jonathan M. Sewall of New Hampshire, the adopted son of Chief Justice Stephen Sewall of Massachusetts Colony.
Come all your brave soldiers, both valiant and free,
It's for Independence we all now agree,
The cause is so glorious we need not fear,
From merciless tyrants we'll set ourselves clear.
Let's gird on our swords and prepare to defend,
Our liberty, property, ourselves, and our friends;
Still fighting we'll die in America's cause,
before we'll submit to tyrannical laws.
George the Third of great Britain no longer shall reign,
With unlimited sway o'er these free States again;
Lord North, nor old Bute, nor none of their clan,
Shall ever hold sway o'er an A-merican.
Upon our great Congress may heaven bestow,
Both wisdom and skill our good cause to pursue;
On heaven alone dependent we'll be
But from all earthly tyrants we mean to be free.
Unto our brave Generals may Heaven give skill,
Our armies to guide, and the sword for to wield;
May their hands taught to war and their fingers to fight,
Be able to put British armies to flight.
And now, brave Americans, since it is so,
We're now independent, we'll have them all know,
That united we are, and united we'll stand,
And keep British tyranny out of our land.
*photograph and music from New York Ancients Fife and Drum Corps.
*song from Songs of '76: A Folksinger's History of the Revolution, by Oscar Brand.
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