Song, "James Bird"

James Bird /Time-"The Tempest"/

Sons of freedom, listen to me, And ye daughters too give ear[! or ;] You a sad and mournful story, As was ever told shall hear.

Hull you know his troops surrender'd, And defenceless left the West[! or ;] Then our forces quick assembled, The invader to resist.

Amongst the troops that marched to Erie, Were the Kingston Volunteers[! or ;] Captain Thomas them commanded, To protect our West frontiers.

Tender were the scenes of parting, Mothers wrung their hands and cried[! or ;] Maidens wept their swains in secret, Fathers strove their hearts to hide.

But there's one among the numbers, Tall and graceful in his mien[! or ;] Firm his step, his look undaunted,

Scarce a nobler youth was seen.

One sweet kiss he snatch'd from Mary Crav'd ? his mother's prayer once more Press'd his father's hand and left them For Lake Erie's distant shore.

Mary tried to say, farewell James. Wav'd her hand, but nothing spoke [! or ;] Goodbye, Bird, may heaven protect [ye?] From the rest a parting broke.

Soon they came where Noble Perry, Had assembled all his fleet [! or ;] There the gallant Bird enlisted, Hoping soon the foe to meet.

Where is Bird? the battle rages, Is he in the strife, or no? Now the cannons roar tremendousDare he meet the hostile foe.

Aye-behold him! see him Perry, In the self same ship they fight [! or ;] Though his messmates fall around him, Nothing can his soul affright.

[first two paragraphs included in page 2]

Is he in the strife, or no? Now the cannons roar tremendousDare he meet the hostile foe.

Aye-behold him! see him Perry, In the self same ship they fight [! or ;] Thought his messmates fall around him, Nothing can his soul affright.

But behold, a ball has struck him, See the crimson current flow, Leave the deck! exclaime'd brave Perry, No, cried Bird, I will not go.

Here on deck I took my station, Ne'er will Bird his colours fly [! or ;] I'll stand by you gallant Captain, 'Till we conquer, or we die.

Still he fought, though faint and bleeding 'Till our Stars and Stripes, Victory having crowne'd our efforts, All triumphant o'er our foes.

And did Bird receive a pension? Was he to his friends restore'd? No, nor never to his bosom, Clasped the maid his heart ador'd.

But there came most dismal tidings, From Lake Erie's distant shore Better if Bird had perishe'd, Midst the battles awful roar.

Dearest parents, said the letter, This will bring sad news to you [! or ;] Do not mourn your first belove'd, Tho' this brings his last adieu

I must suffer for deserting, From the brig Niagara, Read this letter, brothers, sisters, 'Tis the last you'll have from me.

Sad and gloomy was the morning, Bird was ordere'd out to die. Where's the breast, not dead to pity But for [?] [?] [?] heave a sigh.

[first paragrapgh and next three sentences from page 4]

I must suffer for deserting, From the brig Niagara, Read this letter, brothers, sisters, 'Tis the last you'll have from me.

Sad and gloomy was the morning, Bird was ordere'd out to die. Where's the breast, not dead to pity But for him would heave a sigh.

So [! or ;] he fought so brave at Erie, Freely bled and nobly dared, Let his courage plead for mercy, Let his precious life be spared.

See him march and bear his fetters, Harsh they clank upon the ear [! or ;] But his step is firm and manly, For his heart ne'er harbor'd fear.

See he kneels upon his coffin, Sure his death can do no good. Spare him. Hark! O God, they've shot him! Oh! his bosom streams with blood.