Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

Forthe watchmai
THE SONG or THE vERMoNTERs.

linz NbNN WI INN
OF this song Hon. L. p. Walton says, "wnt-
ten by Whittier, At the suggestion Of Thos. Green
fessenden It applies to the period Of October TO
December, 1881 particularly, 50 iaras New llamp
shire and New York are concerned Massachusetts,
rolinquishcd her claim In March, 1881"
The song was written moro than thirty years
since and, as Mr. Whittier did not care to be
known as the author. it passed as a ycritablc
Ethan Allen production. Ia isi5itwas set to mu-
sic in four parts by Prof c. loder for the brothers
Of ca The Cheney Family" and sung at their con-
ccrts in New York, Brooklyn, Jersey city and else
where, as Aliens composition II was new to all
ears Where had it slept so long? II was 50 true TO
Aliens time, none doubted It's date. But could he
write so well ? Some said his brother Ira could
When the singers got round 10 Barnet, Vt, that
prier into historical jokes, Henry Stevens told lis
who made the song. still we let it run as it listed
twas none Of or business to correct the printer
aud expose the quaker; and it is safe to say that
to the present time, very few are informed who
the true originator was.
Certainly Vermont has always had war poets
enough and to spare; hence it seems remarkable
that 1t fell upon nun-resistant who had never
seen our state, 10 throw himself back siAty-fvo
years among the Aliens, Warmers and Bakers and
burst forth into the only song that tells the story
perfectly 10 the life teeming with the defiant fury
Of those vehement, determined, triumphant men.
But this is scarcely more wonderful 10 some minds
than that venerable bachelor Of more than fifty
years should be the author OF Maud Muller,
the most tender and delicate love poem Of theage
Since the public will soon know what friend was
moved to speak thus Of our early heroes here
with do beg permission, inbchalf Of The Cheney
Family in particular, and of Vermont in gen
eml, to thank the Massachusetts, poet for his
song Of the vemonters
Mosrs Z. CHENry
Barnard, VT February To- 1915
10 all 20 The borders vermoniers come down.
WIN your hreeche, Of dcrskn and Jackets Of hroNui
To The gathering summons Of trumpet and drum
Come down with Your rifles let gtay wolf and fox
LET ihc bear feed securely from pg-pen nnd -inl
on our south come The Duiehmen, en,copcd n grease;
on our Hast crafty Meshech' has gathered hi, taud
To hang up our leaders, aud eat out uur land
o-al to the rescucl For satan shall work
No gain for bis legiuns VI Hampshire and York
They claim our possessions the pitlful kunyrsa
The tribute zee pay shall be- prisons and graves
let Clinton and Ten Brock. with bres n their hands,
SUI seek to divide ~, and parcel our lands
The warp is of Joithers thc filling cd iart
Does the oi bay state threaten Does Congress complain
sNarns Hampshire ~ arms ON our border again
Bark the war-dogs VI Britain aloud on the lake,
Let en- come what they cda they are welcome Go take
What seek they among us2 The pride OF our wealth
Is c9nio,t c,nlsnlln,il, ana labor and health,
ana lands which o. tfeenen, we only have trod
Independent Of al, save The mcrces OF God
Yet we owe no aegia9ce; we bow tono tronc'
our leaders Themselves are onr own felloV-mcn.
Who can handle the sword. or the scythe, Che pen.
9g ' wives are all true and our daps,le; are @
All brisk their wheels TN the dark even-iall.
Then bithe at the slesh-ride, the hushing, aud ball
We've sheep The hills side we've COWS on the plain,
And gay -assele'i corn-held.. and rnk -rowlng grain
From the crack Of our nu.keis, like clouds on hc Sky.
And there's fish IN our stroamlets and rivers which take
Tier course from Tie hills n our broad-hosomed lake,
Ana the poitl} shd follows All fresh from the s''i
Like sunbeam the piekerci gldes through hi. pool
And the spotted Trout sleeps where fhe wattr clNl
OF darts from his shelter of rock and Of root
At the beavers quick plunge, or The anglers pursuit
And ours are the mountains. which awfany rise
III they rest their green heads the blue OF te -he
And onrs are the forests, uuwasted, unshnui,
Save where the wild path Of the tempest is torn.
And though savage and VIA he This climate Of ours
Aud brief be OUT season Of fruits and of flowers.
Far dearer the blast round our mountain which raves
Than the sweet summer zephyr which heacs over slaves
Ilura for VERMONT Tor The land which we iill
Must have sons to defend her from valley and Mll'
And the reaping Of wheat for the Taping of foss.
From far Michiseouis wild valley. to where
Poosoomsucs steals down from his wood-circled lair,
From shocticook river to Luiterlock town.
IIo-all 10 the rescue. Nernouters come down,
Come York Hamfshire.-come traitors and llags
ye rule er our and Ne .hah rule per our gfare'i
In he a. am ls ..T.gf