And sets her sons among the stars.
Fair Freedom, her attendant, waits, etc.
THE TUNE
Was the really notable part of this old-time “Ode,” the favorite of village assemblies, and the inevitable practice-piece for amateur violinists. The author of the crude symphony was Deacon Janaziah (or Jazariah) Summer, of Taunton, Mass., who prepared it—music and probably words—for the semi-centennial of Simeon Dagget's Academy in 1798. The “Ode” was subsequently published in Philadelphia, and also in Albany. It was a song of the people, and sang itself through the country 381 / 331 for fifty or sixty years, always culminating in the swift crescendo chorus and repeat—
The British yoke and Gallic chain
Were urged upon our necks in vain;
All haughty tyrants we disdain,
And shout “Long live America!”
The average patriot did not mind it if “Columbi-ay” and “Ameri-kay” were not exactly classic orthoëpy.