Liberty Tree

IN a chariot of light from the regions of day,

The Goddess of Liberty came;

Ten thousand celestials directed the way,

And thither conducted the dame,

This fair budding branch, from the garden above,

Where millions with millions agree;

She bro't in her hand, as a pledge of her love,

The plant she call'd Liberty Tree.

This celestial exotic struck deep in the ground,

Like a native it flourish'd and bore;

The fame of its fruit, drew the nations around,

To seek out its peaceable shore.

Unmindful of names or distinction they came,

For freemen like brothers agree:

With one sprit endow'd, they one friendship pursued,

And their temple was Liberty Tree.

Beneath this fair branch, like the patriarchs of old,

Their bread, in contentment they eat;

Unwearied with trouble, of silver or gold,

Or the cares of the grand and the great.

With timber and tar, they old England supplied,

Supported her power on the seas;

Her battles they fought, without having a groat,

For the honor of Liberty Tree.

But hear, O ye swains, ('tis a tale the most profane)

How all they tyrannical powers,

King, Commons, and Lords are uniting amain,

To cut down this guardian of ours;

From the east to the west, blow the trumpet to arms,

Thro' the land let the sound of it flee,

Let the far and the near, -all unite with a cheer,

In defense of our Liberty Tree.

Thomas Paine