The Riverside song book/Old Ironsides

For other versions of this work, see Old Ironsides (Holmes).

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OLD IRONSIDES.

Oliver Wendell Holmes. Unknown

Maestoso. (Air: Andreas Hofer.)

1.Ay, tear the tattered ensign down! Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon's roar;
The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more!
The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more!


2.Her deck, once red with heroes' blood, Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood, And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread. Or know the conquered knee;
The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea!
The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea!


3.O better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave.
Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set ev'ry thread-bare sail,
And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale!
And give the god of storms, The lightning and the gale!

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