Liberty Tree

In a chariot of light from the regions of day
The Goddess of Liberty came
Ten thousand celestials directed the way
And hither conducted the dame

A fair budding branch from the gardens above
Where millions and millions agree
She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love
And the plant she named Liberty Tree

The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground
Like a native it flourished and bore
The fame of its fruit drew the nations around
To seek out this peacable shore

Unmindful of names or distinctions they came
For freemen like brothers agree
With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued
And their temple was Liberty Tree

Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old
Their bread in contentment they ate
Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold
The cares of the grand and the great

With timber and tar they Old England supplied
And supported her power on the sea
Her battles they fought, without getting a groat
For the honor of Liberty Tree

But hear, O ye swains, 'tis a tale most profane
How all the tyrannical powers
Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting amain
To cut down this guardian of ours

From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms
Through the land let the sound of it flee
Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer
In defence of our Liberty Tree


Thomas Paine

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