[8] In the copies of this song printed during the Revolution the last stanza is altered. In the Pennsylvania Chronicle, which we have examined, it is printed— This bumper I crown for our sovereign’s health, And this for Britannia’s glory and wealth, etc. * * * * * Soon after the passage of the stamp act many patriotic lyrics appeared in various parts of the country, one of the best of which is the following, by Doctor Prime, of New York, the author of “Muscipula sive Cambromyomachia,” a satire, and of several other poems of considerable merit. A SONG FOR THE SONS OF LIBERTY. In story we’re told, How our fathers of old Brav’d the rage of the wind and the waves; And cross’d the deep o’er, To this desolate shore, All because they were loath to be slaves, brave boys! All because they were loath to be slaves. Yet a strange scheme of late, Has been formed in the state, By a knot of political knaves; Who in secret rejoice, That the Parliament’s voice Has resolved that we all shall be slaves, brave boys! etc. But if we should obey, This vile statute the way To more base future slavery paves; Nor in spite of our pain, Must we ever complain, If we tamely submit to be slaves, brave boys! etc. Counteract, then, we must A decree so unjust, Which our wise constitution depraves; And all nature conspires, To approve our desires, For she cautions us not to be slaves, brave boys! etc. As the sun’s lucid ray To all nations gives day, And a world from obscurity saves; So all happy and free, George’s subjects should be, Then Americans must not be slaves, brave boys! etc. Heaven only controls The great deep as it rolls, And the tide which our country laves Emphatical roars This advice to our shores, O! Americans, never be slaves, brave boys! etc. Hark! the wind, as it flies, Though o’errul’d by the skies, While it each meaner obstacle braves, Seems to say, “Be like me, Always loyally free, But ah! never consent to be slaves,” brave boys! etc. To our monarch, we know, Due allegiance we owe, Who the sceptre so rightfully waves; But no sovereign we own, But the king on his throne, And we cannot, to subjects, be slaves, brave boys! etc. Though fools stupidly tell, That we mean to rebel, Yet all each American craves, Is but to be free, As we surely must be, For we never were born to be slaves, brave boys! etc.