July 6 — John Paul Jones — America’s Immortal Sea-Fighter
I have not yet begun to fight!
Paul Jones
Paul Jones
A song unto Liberty’s brave Buccaneer,
Ever bright be the fame of the Patriot Rover.
For our rights he first fought in his “black privateer,”
And faced the proud foe, ere our sea they crossed over
In their channel and coast,
He scattered their host.
..............
’Twas his hand that raised
The first Flag that blazed,
And his deeds ’neath the “Pine Tree” all ocean amazed.
Ballad (Condensed)
John Paul Jones was born in Scotland, July 6, 1747
Was the first American Naval officer to receive a foreign salute for the Stars and Stripes, 1778
Won the victory over the Serapis, 1779
He died in Paris, July 18, 1792
His body was brought to America in 1905 and interred with honours at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.