Land of the Free

God plucked thee from the monarch’s brow,
The brightest jewel in his crown,
And found in stern oppression’s bough
The fruit of freedom dropping down:
America! land of the blessed!
In being watchful, thou art strong;
Be brave: that patriot’s the best
Who fears not to assail the wrong.
Land of the free!
May God preserve thy liberty,
And keep thee safe from foreign tyranny.
Thy loyal sons who dauntless stood;
Thy soldiers, resolute and brave,
Whose hope was in the true, the good,
Whose only fear the coward’s grave;
Thy masterframers, wise and just,
The shapers of that blessed year,
Remember! and take up the trust
They left for us and all men here,
Land of the free!
May God preserve thy liberty,
Protect thy coasts from foreign tyranny.
That citizen were better dead
Who careth not for wrong or right;
More to be feared the sluggard’s bed
Than wielders of all foreign might;
Wilt thou undo the toil of years?
Forget the boon thy fathers gave?
Aye then! forget – and shed thy tears
Of dissolution o’er their grave.
Land of the free!
May God preserve thy liberty,
Protect thee from domestic tyranny.
When freedom rests on ev’ry brow
But lightly; when the hero’s blood
Has been forgotten; watch! lest thou
Forget the God that made thee good;
‘Tis that same God hath made thee great:
If thou turn not to hear his call,
Beware! lest heedless then thy state
Too swiftly rising, stoop and fall.
Land of the free!
May God preserve thy liberty,
Forever keep thy coasts from tyranny.