Cat. #1504 (MFH #308) - As sung by Lula Davis, Fayetteville, Arkansas on February 14, 1963
VERSE 1
Sons of freedom, listen to me
An' you daughters too, give ear
To a sad an' mournful story
As was ever told shall hear
VERSE 2
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered
An' defenseless, left th West
Then our forces quick assembled
The invader to resist
VERSE 3
Among troops that marched to Erie
Were th Kingston volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect th West frontiers
VERSE 4
Tender were th scenes of parting
Mothers wrung their hands an' cried
Neighbors wept their sways in secret
Fathers stroved their tears to hide
VERSE 5
There was one among our number
Tall an' gallant was his name
From his step, his look undaunted
Scarce a nobler youth was seen
VERSE 6
One sweet kiss he snatched, from Mary
Prayed his Mother's prayer, once more
Pressed his Father's hand and left them
For Lake Erie's distance shore
VERSE 7
Mary tried to say, farewell James
Waved her hand but nothing spake
Good-bye Byrd, may Heaven protect you
From th crowd, at parting break
VERSE 8
Soon they came to where noble Perry
Had assembled all his flee
There th noble Byrd enlisted
Expectin to th foe t' meet
VERSE 9
Where is Byrd, th battle rages
Is he in th strife or no
Now th battle roars tree-mendous
Does he meet th hostal foe
VERSE 10
See, behold him there, with Perry
In th self same ship they fight
Tho' his mess-mates fall all around him
Nothing can his soul afright
VERSE 11
But behold a ball has struck him
See th crimson current flow
Leave th deck, exclaimed brave Perry
No, cried Byrd, I will not go
VERSE 12
Here on deck I took my station
N'er will Byrd his colors fly
I'll stand by you gallant Captain
Till we conquer or I die
VERSE 13
Still he fought, tho' faint an' bleeding
Still th stars an' stripes arose
Victory having crowned our effort
All conquered o'er our foes
VERSE 14
Then did Byrd receive a pension
Was he to his friends restored
No, nor never to his bosom
Clasped th maid his heart adored
VERSE 15
Better yet poor Byrd has perished
Midst th battles awful roar
Than to die in shameful fashion
On Lake Erie's distance shore
VERSE 16
Dearest Parents, said his letter
This will bring sad news to you
Do not mourn your first beloved
Tho' this brings his last adieu
VERSE 17
I must suffer for desertion
Off th brig at Ni-ga-ree
Read this letter, Brother, sister
It's th last you'll have from me
VERSE 18
Sad n' gloomy was th morning
Byrd was ordered out to die
Where's th breast not dead to pity
But for him would heave a sigh
VERSE 19
See him march an' bear his fetters
Harsh th clock upon th ear
But his step is firm an' manly
For his heart n'er harbored fear
VERSE 20
See him kneel upon his coffin
Sure his death can do no good
Spare him, O God, they shot him
See his bosom stream with blood
VERSE 21
Farewell Byrd, farewell forever
Home an' friends you'll see no more
But his mangled corpse lie buried
On Lake Erie's distance shore