The Liberty Tree
(Thomas Paine)

In a chariot of light from the regions of day
The Goddess of Liberty came;
Ten thousand celestials directed the way
And thither conducted the Dame.
This fair budding branch, from the garden above,
Where millions with millions agree,
She bro't in her hand, as a pledge of her love
The plant she call'd Liberty Tree.

This celestial exotic struck deep in the ground
Like a native it flourish'd and bore.
The fame of its fruit drew the nations around
To seek out its peaceable shore.
Unmindful of names or distinction they came
For freemen like brothers agree,
With one spirit endow'd, they one friends pursued
And their temple was Liberty Tree.

Beneath this fair branch, like the patriarchs of old
Their bread, in contentment, they eat.
Unwearied with trouble, of silver and gold,
Or the cares of the grand and the great.
With timber and tar they old England supplied
Supported her power on the sea;
Her battles they fought, without having a groat
For the honour of Liberty Tree.

But hear, O ye swains ('tis a tale most profane)
How all the tyrannical powers,
King, Commons and Lords are uniting amain
To cut down this guardian of ours.
From the east to the west, blow the trumpet to arms
Thro' the land let the sound of it flee;
Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer
In defense of our Liberty Tree.

From The American Patriotic Songbook, 1813. First published in 1775.
tune: Once the Gods of the Greeks
RG