The Patriotic Diggers

"The Patriotic Diggers" (1812) 

Words by Samuel Woodsworth, 1785-1842 

Melody from an Old Scotch-Irish Air, 1740 [Source: public domain] 

Enemies beware, keep a proper distance, 

Else we'll make you stare at our firm resistance; 

Let alone the lads who are freedom tasting, 

Don't forget our dads gave you once a basting. 

To protect our rights 'gainst your flint and triggers 

See on yonder heights our patriotic diggers. 

Men of ev'ry age, color, rank, profession, 

Ardently engaged, labor in succession. 

CHORUS 

 Pick-axe, shovel, spade, crow-bar, hoe and barrow 

Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow. 

Scholars leave their schools with patriotic teachers 

Farmers seize their tools, headed by their preachers, 

How they break the soil - brewers, butchers, bakers - 

Here the doctors toil, there the undertakers. 

Bright Apollo's sons leave their pipe and tabor, 

Mid the roar of guns join the martial labor, 

Round the embattled plain in sweet concord rally, 

And in freedom's strain sing the foes finale.

Tippecanoe, here we come!

-Peter Bringe

 Memor!