The Liberty Song
The Liberty Song è una canzone pre-rivoluzionaria americana con testo del padre fondatore John Dickinson.[1][2] La canzone è impostata sulle melodie di "Heart of Oak", l’inno della Marina Reale del Regno Unito. La canzone stessa fu pubblicata per la prima volta in due giornali coloniali, il Pennsylvania Journal e la Pennsylvania Gazette, entrambi il 7 luglio 1768.[3]
Storia[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
La canzone è una delle prime canzoni patriottiche delle tredici colonie. Nella sesta strofa troviamo la prima pubblicazione conosciuta della frase "United we stand, divided we fall", uno slogan patriottico che è apparso più volte nel corso della storia degli Stati Uniti, oltre che nella bandiera dello stato del Missouri.
È anche probabile che la canzone sia una variante della canzone tradizionale irlandese da cui spesso prende la melodia, Here's a Health. Anche il testo di The Liberty Song ha la stessa struttura.
Il testo della canzone fu aggiornato nel 1770 per riflettere le crescenti tensioni tra l’Inghilterra e le Colonie. Questa nuova versione fu pubblicata nell'almanacco di Bickerstaff, e il titolo fu cambiato in The Massachusetts Song of Liberty.[4]
Testo[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
Versione originale[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call; No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim, Or stain with dishonor America's name.
Ritornello: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.
Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer, To climates unknown did courageously steer; Threw' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came, And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame
Ritornello
How sweet are the labors that free men endur, that men shall enjoy the sweet profit secure. No more sweet labors americans know, If brittash shall reap what americans sow.
Ritornello
Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd, So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd; We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep, Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.
Ritornello
The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd; They lived to behold growing strong and revered; With transport they cried, "Now our wishes we gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."
Ritornello
Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear Like locusts deforming the charms of the year; Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend, If we are to drudge for what others shall defend.
Ritornello
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, For heaven approves of each generous deed.
Ritornello
All ages shall speak with amaze and applause, Of the courage we'll show in support of our Laws; To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain. For shame is to Freedom more dreadful than pain.
Ritornello
This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health, And this for Britannia's glory and wealth; That wealth and that glory immortal may be, If She is but Just, and if we are but Free.
Ritornello
Versione del 1770[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
Come swallow your bumpers, ye Tories, and roar, That the sons of fair freedom are hampered once more; But know that no cut-throats our spirits can tame, Nor a host of oppressors shall smother the flame.
Ritornello: In Freedom we're born, and, like sons of the brave, Will never surrender, But swear to defend her; And scorn to survive, if unable to save.
Note[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
- ^ Music for Patriotis, Politicians, and Presidents, (26) Vera Brodsky Lawrence, 1975.
- ^ The History of American Music, (141) Louis C. Elson, 1904.
- ^ (EN) John Dickinson's Hit Single: Liberty Song, su Journal of the American Revolution, 12 marzo 2014. URL consultato il 21 marzo 2021.
- ^ The History of American Music, (142) Louis C. Elson, 1904.
