Contest entry |
We Fought the Bloody British On July fourth of 76 we signed a document, we scratched our names and made our marks and to the King it went. We took our time and made it known, our resolve would fully stand, for life and love and liberty in our newly chosen land. We called upon the bravest men throughout the Colonies, to drop their plows, their hoes and rakes, and head into the trees. For many days and many years we fought the British red, we gave our lives, our homes, our land, and mostly went unfed. Chorus: Oh! We fought the bloody British 'til our ranks were mighty thin, then we got some more recruits and started in again. We fought with knives and possum guns, with our fists and all our might, 'til the British threw away their arms and then refused to fight. We lost our homes and families, our fortunes disappeared, we marched all day and fought all night, but the British only sneered. We lived off wormy fat back and biscuits that were stale, but when the British fought us, we sent them straight to... well! A friend of mine, John Hancock, and one called Henry Lee, roused the men with words and deeds, of a land that they called the free. Of the many battles fought, very little did we win, but the British must admit, we fought them 'til the end. Chorus: Oh! We fought the bloody British 'til our ranks were mighty thin, then we got some more recruits and started in again. We fought with knives and possum guns, with our fists and all our might, 'til the British threw away their arms and then refused to fight. At a place called Valley Forge, we thought the end was near, the British troops were too well trained, it seemed they had no fear. In perfect lines and perfect step, they advanced across the field, and when they opened up on us, our ranks began to yield. But from our left and from our right, even from our rear, marched an army dressed in blue, and the men began to cheer. "Those, by God, are Regulars," our rugged Captain said, as they marched onto the open field to face the British red. From that day on until the end, we pushed the redcoats back, across the fields and through the towns, to a place called Hackensack. The British ran for many miles, and made it to the sea, then sailed their ships from Yorktown, and left us tired but free. Chorus: Oh! We fought the bloody British 'til our ranks were mighty thin, then we got some more recruits and started in again. We fought with knives and possum guns, with our fists and all our might, 'til the British threw away their arms and then refused to fight. And now the war is over and the story can be told, about the Yankee soldiers and the mighty men of old. The British are our friends today, but a story they will not tell, of the day they fought the stubborn Yanks, who sent them straight to...well! For those who fought and those who died and live in memory, we offer praise and give our thanks, to you who made us free. |