May they be heroes in the field, Have heroes’ fame in store; We pray the Lord to be their shield Where thundering cannons roar. The oldest of the lyrics we shall present in this paper—we reserve, perhaps for a future number, the historical songs and ballads unconnected with the Revolution—is the “Patriot’s Appeal,” printed in the Pennsylvania Chronicle, at Philadelphia, on the 4th of July, just eight years before the Declaration of Independence. We copy it from a ballad sheet, dated in 1775. THE PATRIOT’S APPEAL. Come join hand and hand brave Americans all, Awake through the land 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, in freedom we’ll live; Our purses are ready— Steady, friends, 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; Through oceans to deserts for freedom they came And, dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame! In freedom, etc. Their generous bosoms all dangers despised, So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they prized; What they gave let us cherish and piously keep, Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep. In freedom, etc. The tree their own hands had to liberty reared, They lived to behold growing strong and revered; With transport they cried, “Now our wishes we gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.” In freedom, etc. How sweet are the labors that freemen endure, Of which they enjoy all the profits secure! No longer such toils shall Americans know, If Britons may reap what Americans sow! In freedom, etc. Swarms of _placemen_ and pensioners e’en now appear Like locusts deforming the charms of the year! Suns vainly will rise and showers vainly descend, If we are to drudge for what others may spend. In freedom, etc. Then join hand and hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause we may hope to succeed, For Heaven approves every generous deed. In freedom, etc. All ages and nations shall speak with applause, Of the courage we show in support of our cause, To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain, For shame is to freemen more dreadful than pain. In freedom, etc. A bumper to Freedom! and as for the king,[8] When he does deserve it his praises we’ll sing! We wish Britain’s glory immortal may be, If she is but just and we are but free! In freedom we’re born, in freedom we’ll live, Our purses are ready— Steady, boys, steady!— Our money as freemen, not slaves, we will give! -----