I.

COME join, my brave lads, come all from afar,
We're all Volunteers, all ready for war;
   Our service is free, for honour we fight,
   Regardless of hardships by day or by night.
Chorus. Then all draw your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

II.

The Rebels they murder, -Revenge is the word,
Let each lad return with blood on his sword;
   See Grierson's pale ghost point afresh to his wound,
   We'll conquer, my boys, or fall dead on the ground.
               Then brandish your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

III.

They've plunder'd our houses, attempted our lives,
Drove off from their homes our children and wives;
   Such plundering miscreants no mercy can crave,
   Such murdering villains no mercy shall have.
               Then chop with your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

IV.

Then think not of plunder, but rush on the foe,
Pursue them, my boys, with blow after blow,
   Till in their own blood we see them all welter,
   Or behind the Blue Mountains retreat for a shelter.
               Then chop with your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

V.

There the Indians to them that mercy will owe,
Which they, when victorious, to others did show;
   But we will return our estates to enjoy,
   In rooting out Rebels our time we'll employ.
              Then sheath, boys, your swords, and constantly sing,
              Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

VI.

When back through Augusta our horses shall prance,
We'll dismount at the Captain's, and there have a dance,
   We'll toss off full bumpers of favorite grog,
   Be merry all night, in the morning drink knog.
               Then rest on your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

VII.

Here's a health to our Governor, Peace at our homes,
Honour to Ingram, to Douglass, and Holmes,
   A wife to each soldier, and other good chear,
   And victory for ever to each Volunteer.
               Then lay by your swords, and constantly sing,
               Success to our Troop, our Country, and King.

The Royal Georgia Gazette, (Savannah), October 4th, 1781.

Click here for ---> Music & Poetry Main Page

                               Top of Page

The On-Line Institute for Advanced Loyalist Studies
For information please contact Todd Braisted


Site maintenance and hosting courtesy of Brandwares.