Classic Poem

On December, the sixth
And the twentieth day,
Our troops attacked the Hessians,
And show'd them gallant play.

Our roaring cannon taught them
Our valor for to know;
We fought like brave Americans
Against a haughty foe.

The chiefs were kill'd or taken,
The rest were put to flight,
And some arrived at Princeton,
Half-fainting with affright.

The third of January,
The morning being clear,
Our troops attack'd the regulars,
At Princeton, we do hear.

About a mile from Princeton,
The battle is begun,
And many a haughty Briton fell
Before the fight was done.

And what our gallant troops have done
We'll let the British know;
We fought like brave Americans
Against a haughty foe.

The British, struck with terror,
And frighted, ran away:
They ran across the country
Like men in deep dismay,

Crying to every one they met,
" Oh! hide us! hide us! do!
The rebels will devour us,
So holly they pursue. "

Oh, base, ungenerous Britons!
To call us by that name;
We 're fighting for our liberty,
Our just and lawful claim.

We trust in Heaven's protection,
Nor fear to win the day;
When time shall come we'll crown our deeds
With many a loud huzza!

Our foes are fled to Brunswick,
Where they are close confined;
Our men they are unanimous,
In Freedom's cause combined.

Success to General Washington,
And Gates and Putnam, too,
Both officers and privates,
Who liberty pursue.