POEM IN PRAISE OF THE CONTINENTAL
CONGRESS
A Fourth of July Hymn
Solo 1: Thank you,
For bearding the
British brass.
And thank you,
Of
Printer
I thank you one and I thank you all
For rising up at your country’s call
And giving the Fourth
a start.
All: Thanks with gratitude more than cursory
For handling July an
anniversary.
Solo 1: What is so rare in these sovereign states
As festive weather on festive
dates?
All: Sneezes hamper the Yuletide kiss.
Autumn glooms on the Armistice.
Easter’s certain to be contrary.
Solo 1: But east and west and south and north
There’s strawberry shortcake on the Fourth.
All: So hip and hip and a loud hooray
For glorious Independence Day,
Day auspicious for every comer
Because it falls on the Fourth of summer,
When winds are soft and air’s a prism
And climate’s conducive to patriotism.
Solo 1: Fathers, I’m grateful when I remember
You might have fixed on the Fourth of November.
All: You might have chosen August,
When lawns begin to parch,
Defended Man in the middle of
Or the horrible first of March
But you thought of parades and picnics,
Of a blue American sky,
Of driving fast in a brand-new car,
Of rowing boats and of breaking par,
And you set it down on your calendar
That you’d choose the
Fourth of July.
Solo 1: So thank you, Button Gwinnett,
For a celebration blithe,
And thank you,
And thank you,
Merchant
I’m happy you surged with that freedomania.
Thanks for the Land of the Free,
All: For giving us liberty’s deathless chime
And a holiday in the summertime.