Song. — Written on the King’s Birth-day, 1808
Tune—Sons of the Tyne.
Come, haste to Newcastle, ye sons of fair Freedom,
You’ll there see a sight that will banish your fears;
A sight that would terrify Bonney, should he come,—
The sight I allude to’s our brave Volunteers.
Arrang’d in a row, with the brave Association;
The Gateshead, so gallant, are likewise in line;
Our Volunteers too, the defence of the nation,—
You likewise will see the bright Legion of Tyne.
The Sunderland too, with Artillery assemble;
The Shields and the Hexham with ardour appears;
The sight of these heroes would make Bonney tremble,
Could he get a peep at our brave Volunteers.
Ye fam’d Rifle corps, I must too praise your merit;
You’ll always be ready when glory does call;
The whole fir’d with freedom, with ardour and spirit,
When flank’d by the boys from the End of the Wall.35
You Patriots assembled on this grand occasion,
A sight that’s so noble each wounded mind cheers;
They’ll always be ready to repel invasion,
And merit the title of brave Volunteers.
May courage and candour still all your minds govern,—
Your zeal in the pages of history will shine;
Be true to your country and just to your Sovereign,
Ye sons of fair Freedom, of Wear and of Tyne.
Notes
35 Wallsend.