Jefferson And Liberty
Words & Music:
Traditional Irish
Tune/American Lyric Variation
This song refers to the
contentious election of 1800 & the peopleÕs feelings for President-Elect
Thomas Jefferson. Many people felt
that laws passed during President Adams' administration, particularly the Alien
& Sedition Acts, had infringed on their constitutional rights. These people looked to Jefferson as a
symbol of freedom from oppressive government. Jefferson was elected in what has
been called the "Revolution of 1800."
Em
D
The gloomy
night before us flies, the reign of terror now is o'er;
Em
B7
Em
Its gags,
inquisitors, and spies, its herds of harpies are no more!
CHORUS:
Em
G
D
Rejoice!
Columbia's sons, rejoice! To
tyrants never bend the knee!
Em
D
G
Am B7 Em
But, join
with heart and soul and voice, for Jefferson and Liberty!
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 a happier home.
CHORUS:
Here art
shall lift her laureled head, wealth, industry, and peace divine;
And where
dark, pathless forests spread, rich fields and lofty cities shine.
CHORUS:
His
country's glory, hope, and stay, in virtue and in talents tried,
Now rises
to assume the sway, o'er freedom's temple to preside.
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.
CHORUS:
Let foes
to freedom dread the name; but should they touch the sacred tree,
Twice
fifty thousand 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: