LIBERTY SONG
The first American patriotic song was written by John Dickinson, the namesake of Dickinson College and the man who many believe came up with the name of the United States of America. Called "The Liberty Song," it was written in 1768 and sung throughout the American colonies at political meetings, dinners and celebrations.

Dickinson's song was sung to the English air Hearts of Oak.

The music to Heart of Oak was by Dr. William Boyce (1711-1779). The English words were by David Garrick. Dr Boyce was a songwriter in London, beginning around 1730. In 1757 he reached the peak of his career, being put in charge of the King's Band of Musick, a position which Purcell held much earlier. He received a doctorate in 1749. In 1758 he was the organist at the Chapel Royal. His first compositions to appear in print were published in 1747. Boyce retired from music due to deafness and retired to Dorset.

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.

Chorus:
In freedom we're born,
And in freedom we'll live!
Our purses are ready,
Steady, friends, steady;
Not as slaves, but as free men,
Our money we'll give.

How sweet are the labors
That freemen endure,
That they shall enjoy
All the profit, secure,
No more such sweet labors
Americans know,
If Britons shall reap
What Americans sow.
Chorus:

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.
Chorus:

LIBERTY SONG, by Dr. Joseph Warren, 1777, was sung to the British Grenidiers.

That Seat of Science Athens,
And Earth's great Mistress Rome,
Where now are all their Glories,
We scarce can find their Tomb;
Then guard your Rights, Americans!
Nor stoop to lawless Sway,
Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose,
My brave America.

Proud Albion bow'd to Caesar,
And num'rous Lords before,
To Picts, to Danes, to Normans,
And many Masters more;
But we can boast Americans!
We never fell a Prey;
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,
For brave America.

We led fair Freedom hither,
When lo the Desart smil'd,
A paradise of pleasure,
Was open'd in the Wild;
Your Harvest, bold Americans!
No power shall snatch away,
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,
For brave America.

Torn from a World of Tyrants,
Beneath this western Sky,
We form'd a new Dominion,
A Land of liberty;
The World shall own their masters here,
Then hasten on the Day,
Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza,
For brave America.

God bless this maiden Climate,
And thro' her vast Domain,
Let Hosts of Heroes cluster,
Who scorn to wear a Chain;
And blast the venal Sycophant,
Who dares our Rights betray.
Preserve, preserve, preserve, preserve
My brave America.

Lift up your Heads my Heroes!
And swear with proud Disdain,
The Wretch that would enslave you,
Shall spread his Snares in vain;
Should Europe empty all her force,
Wou'd meet them in Array,
And shout, and shout, and shout, and shout,
For brave America!

Some future Day shall crown us,
The Masters of the Main,
And giving Laws and Freedom,
To subject France and Spain;
When all the Isles o'er Ocean spread
Shall tremble and obey,
Their Lords, their Lords, their Lords, their Lords
Of brave America.

Many songs of this period rhyme "America" as if the final "a" were long.

SAW YE JOHN A'COMING
A NEW SCOTCH SONG or SAW YE JOHN A'COMING
Appears in:
    Clio and Euterpe, or British Harmony. Vol 2, 1759.

Woe's My Heart
Appears in Caledonian Muse, 1798
Early American Secular Music and Its European Sources 1589-1839
First line: With broken words & down cast eyes
6 verses

SMIRKING NAN
Appears in:
    The Muses Delight, 1754.
    Early American Secular Music and Its European Sources 1589-1839