Song, James Bird, page 4

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.