Songs and Ballads of the American Revolu (Revolutionary War)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1856. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 1780. This ballad was written by Major John Andre,1 and first published in the Royal Gazette. It commemorates the attack of General Wayne, upon the Refugee's Block House, situated on the Hudson River, about four miles below Fort Lee, on the twenty-first of July, 1780. THE COW CHACE.5 Part .1 To drive the kine one summer's morn, The tanner took his way; The calf shall rue that is unborn, The jumbling of that day. And Wayne descending steers shall know, And tauntingly deride; And call to mind in every low, The tanning of his hide. Yet Bergen cows still ruminate, Unconscious in the stall, What mighty means were used to get, And loose them after all. For many heroes bold and brave, From Newbridge and Tappan, And those that drink Passaic's wave, And those who eat supaun; And sons of distant Delaware, And still remoter Shannon, And Major Lee with horses rare, And Proctor with his cannon. All wond'rous proud in arms they came, What hero could refuse To tread the rugged path to fame, Who had a pair of shoes I At six, the host with sweating buff, Arrived at Freedom's pole; When Wayne, who thought he'd time enough, Thus speechified the whole. "O ye, who glory doth unite, Who Freedom's cause espouse; Whether the wing that's doom'd to fight, Or that to drive the cows, 4 Ere yet you tempt your farther way, Or into action come, Hear, soldiers, what I have to say, And take a pint of rum. "Intemp'rate valor then will string Each nervous arm the better; So all the land shall I 0 sing, And read the General's letter. "Know that some paltry refugees, Whom I've a mind to fight; Are playing h--1 amongst the trees That grow on yonder height. "Their fort and block-houses we'll level, And deal a horrid slaughter; We'll drive the scoundrels to the devil, And ravish wife and daug...