Valour Shields The Brave Poem by Hector Macneill

Hark! - hark! the sound of battle!
Warning thrice, the cannon's rattle!
Fast o'er plain and mountain brattle
Scotia's thousands brave!
A. Never! - never mair to tell
When freedom fought! - where valour fell!
Nor return! till death's sad knell
Toll warriors to the grave!
J. Awa wi' fear! - stop that tear!
Freedom's cause to freemen's dear!
Valour, Annie! - valour! valour!
True valour shields the brave!

II.

A. Whar shields the helpless? Johnnie,
Wha guards a wife like Annie?
Trembling here, wi' infants bonnie!
Sever'd frae the brave!

Wha smiles to banish fear?
Wha remains to stop the tear?
J. Faithful love, and heaven's kind care,
My Annie's peace will save!
Then banish dread! - tear ne'er shed!
Gallia's chains for slaves are made!
Britons, Annie! - Britons! Britons!
Free Britons scorn the slave!

III.

A. Gang - gang! then, dearest Johnnie!
Slavery's ill's the warst o' ony!
Heaven and virtue guard your Annie!
God direct the brave!
This warm kiss before you start!
Place this token near your heart!
Friendship now and peace maun part,
Dear freedom's cause to save
J. Then banish dread! - tear ne'er shed!
If freedom fa's, love's joys drap dead!
Freedom, Annie! Freedom! Freedom!
Blest freedom! or - the Grave!

IV.

Wi' trembling hand, and heart sair knockin,
Round his neck she tied love's token;
Sighed, and cried in words half spoken,
Heaven shields the brave!
The trumpet blew! the warrior flew;
Met Scotia's freemen, dauntless, true!
Firm their step! ranks Red and Blue,
Cried, Victory, or the Grave!
Then, Tyrant, dread! to conquest led
Bands in freedom's armour clad!
Freedom! Tyrant! - Freedom! Freedom!
Blest Freedom! shield the brave!