A month later, on June 14, 1775, the Continentals occupied various islands and points in the bay, and opened so hot a fire upon the British ships that they were finally forced to weigh anchor and sail away. The news of the capture of Boston and departure of the British was received with the greatest rejoicing throughout the country. Among the many songs composed to celebrate the event, one, "Off from Boston," gained wide popularity. OFF FROM BOSTON Sons of valor, taste the glories Of celestial liberty, Sing a triumph o'er the Tories, Let the pulse of joy beat high. Heaven hath this day foil'd the many Fallacies of George the King; Let the echo reach Britan'y, Bid her mountain summits ring. See yon navy swell the bosom Of the late enragèd sea; Where'er they go, we shall oppose them, Sons of valor must be free. Should they touch at fair Rhode Island, There to combat with the brave, Driven from each dale and highland, They shall plough the purple wave. Should they thence to fair Virginia, Bend a squadron to Dunmore, Still with fear and ignominy, They shall quit the hostile shore. To Carolina or to Georg'y, Should they next advance their fame, This land of heroes shall disgorge the Sons of tyranny and shame. Let them rove to climes far distant, Situate under Arctic skies, Call on Hessian troops assistant, And the savages to rise. Boast of wild brigades from Russia, To fix down the galling chain, Canada and Nova Scotia, Shall disgorge these hordes again. In New York state, rejoin'd by Clinton, Should their standards mock the air, Many a surgeon shall put lint on Wounds of death receivèd there. War, fierce war, shall break their forces, Nerves of Tory men shall fail, Seeing Howe, with alter'd courses, Bending to the western gale. Thus from every bay of ocean, Flying back with sails unfurl'd, Tossed with ever-troubled motion, They shall quit this smiling world. Like Satan banishèd from heaven, Never see the smiling shore; From this land, so happy, driven, Never stain its bosom more. CHAPTER IV INDEPENDENCE At the outbreak of the Revolution very few, even of the more radical colonial leaders, thought of or desired complete independence from Great Britain. Samuel Adams was perhaps the first to proclaim this as the only solution of the problem which confronted the colonies. But the sentiment for independence grew steadily. EMANCIPATION FROM BRITISH DEPENDENCE [1775] _Libera nos, Domine_--Deliver us, O Lord, Not only from British dependence, but also, From a junto that labor for absolute power, Whose schemes disappointed have made them look sour; From the lords of the council, who fight against freedom Who still follow on where delusion shall lead 'em.