Saturday Poetry Corner: Chester/ The Original National Anthem

 

"The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer."
(II Samuel 22:2)

The Nation Makers

Depicts The Battle Of Brandywine 1777

(1906)

Howard Pyle

(1853-1911)

American painter, illustrator, and author

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,

And Slav'ry clank her galling chains,

We fear them not, we trust in God,

New England's God forever reigns.

Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,

With Prescot and Cornwallis join'd,

Together plot our Overthrow,

In one Infernal league combin'd.

When God inspir'd us for the fight,

Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd,

Their ships were Shatt'd in our sight,

Or swiftly driven from our Coast.

The Foe comes on with haughty Stride;

Our troops advance with martial noise,

Their Vet'rans flee before our Youth,

And Gen'rals yield to beardless Boys.

What grateful Off'ring shall we bring?

What shall we render to the Lord?

Loud Halleluiahs let us Sing,

And praise His name on ev'ry Chord.

"Chester"

Called the" Battle Hymn of the American Revolution"  this rousing
prayer-song by American composer William Billings (1746-1800) 
 is said to be our first national anthem.  Accompanied by the sound
 of the fife and drum, the words of this song were sung with
 patriotic fervor by the brave Minute Men as they advanced
to meet the enemy on the battlefield.