America: Why I love her

 

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! 

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - "In God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

(1768)

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, Boy, 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.

In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live;

Our purses are ready,

Steady, Boy, steady,

Not as slaves, but as freemen our money we'll give.

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."

 In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live;

Our purses are ready,

Steady, Boy, steady,

Not as slaves, but as freemen our money we'll give.

Then join hand in hand brave Americans all,

By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;

In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,

For Heaven approves of each generous deed.

In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live;

Our purses are ready,

Steady, Boy, steady,

Not as slaves, but as freemen our money we'll give.

This bumper I crown for our sovereign's health,

And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;

That wealth, and that glory immortal may be,

If she is but just, and we are but free.

In freedom we're born, &c.

(1936)

FREEDOM. POWER. VISION.

US

(1942)