Hello everyone –
In this episode,
in honor of Memorial Day, D-Day, and Flag Day, we remember all the heroes who
have defended our freedom and democracy since the American Revolution,
especially those whom we have known and loved.
“The Liberty
Tree” (1775)
By Thomas Paine
(1737-1809)
Editor’s Note:
This poem was written to “rally the troops” and garner support for the American
Revolution after British loyalists chopped down the “Liberty Tree” that stood
near Boston Commons in 1775. The 129-year-old tree, after its death, became a
powerful symbol for the Continental Army and was displayed on numerous American
flags throughout the Revolution.
1. In a chariot of
light from the regions of day,
The goddess of
Liberty came,
Ten thousand
celestials directed her way,
And hither
conducted the dame.
A fair budding
branch from the gardens above,
Where millions
with millions agree,
She brought in her
hand as a pledge of her love,
And the plant she
named Liberty Tree.
2. The celestial
exotic stuck deep in the ground,
Like a native it
flourished and bore;
The fame of its
fruit drew the nations around
To seek out this
peaceable shore.
Unmindful of names
or distinctions they came,
For freemen like
brothers agree;
With one Spirit
endued, they one friendship pursued,
And their temple
was Liberty Tree.
3. But hear, O ye
swains (‘tis a tale most profane),
How all the
tyrannical powers,
Kings, Commons,
and Lords, are uniting amain
To cut down this
guardian of ours.
From the east to
the west blow the trumpet to arms,
Through 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.
This is an 1825
illustration of the Liberty Tree on Boston Commons.
“Columbia the
Gem of the Ocean” (1843)
By David T.
Shaw & Thomas A. Becket, Sr.
Editor’s Note:
This patriotic song served as an unofficial national anthem for the United
States until 1931. It was especially popular during the Civil War Era
(1861-1865).
1. O Columbia! the
gem of the ocean,
The home of the
brave and the free,
The shrine of each
patriot’s devotion,
A world offers
homage to thee;
Thy mandates make
heroes assemble,
When Liberty’s
form stands in view;
Thy banners make
tyranny tremble,
When borne by the
red, white, and blue.
When borne by the
red, white, and blue,
When borne by the
red, white, and blue,
Thy banners make
tyranny tremble,
When borne by the
red, white and blue.
2. When war winged
its wide desolation,
And threatened the
land to deform,
The ark then of
freedom’s foundation,
Columbia rode safe
through the storm;
With her garlands
of victory around her,
When so proudly
she bore her brave crew;
With her flag
proudly waving before her,
The boast of the
red, white and blue.
The boast of the
red, white and blue,
The boast of the
red, white, and blue,
With her flag
proudly floating before her,
The boast of the
red, white and blue.
3. The Union, the
Union forever,
Our glorious
nation’s sweet hymn,
May the wreaths it
has won never wither,
Nor the stars of
its glory grow dim,
May the service
united never sever,
But they to their
colors prove true.
The Army and Navy
forever,
Three cheers for
the red, white, and blue.
Three cheers for
the red, white, and blue,
Three cheers for
the red, white, and blue,
The Army and Navy
forever,
Three cheers for
the red, white and blue.
“In Flanders
Fields”
By Dr. John McCrae
(1872-1918)
Editor’s Note:
This poem was written by a Canadian army surgeon who served in World War I.
In Flanders fields
the poppies blow
Between the
crosses, row on row,
That mark our
place, and in the sky,
The larks, still
bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid
the guns below.
We are the dead;
short days ago
We lived, felt
dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were
loved, and now we lie
In Flanders
fields.
Take up our
quarrel with the foe!
To you from
failing hands we throw
The torch; be
yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith
with us who die
We shall not
sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders
fields.
Requiescant in pace.
Rob
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