Title: Jefferson and Liberty
Air: The Gobby-O
Lyrics: Robert Tree Paine
The song was written to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were supported by the John Adams administration.
The gloomy night before us flies,
The reign of terror now is o'er;
Its gags, inquisitors, and spies,
Its herds of harpies are no more!
Chorus
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend your knee,
But join with heart, and soul, and voice,
For Jefferson and Liberty!
Chorus
No lordling here, with gorging jaws
Shall wring from industry the food;
Nor fiery bigot's holy laws
Lay waste our fields and streets in blood!
Chorus
Here strangers from a thousand shores
Compelled by tyranny to roam,
Shall find amidst abundant stores,
A nobler and happier home.
Chorus
Here Art shall lift her laurelled head,
Wealth, Industry, and Peace, divine;
And where dark, pathless forests spread,
Rich fields and lofty cities shine.
Chorus
From Europe's wants and woes remote,
A friendly waste of waves between,
Here plenty cheers the humblest cot,
And smiles on every village green.
Chorus
Here free as air, expanded space,
To every soul and sect shall be --
That sacred privilege of our race --
The worship of the Deity.
Let foes to freedom dread the name;
But should they touch the sacred tree,
Twice fifty thousands swords would flame
For Jefferson and liberty.
Chorus
From Georgia to Lake Champlain,
From seas to Mississippi's shore,
Ye sons of freedom loud proclaim
"The reign of terror is no more."
Chorus
These gifts, great Liberty, are thine,
Then thousand more we owe to thee,
Immortal may their mem'ries shine,
Who fought and died for Liberty.