1776

Thirteen men arose and stood

Arms locked one to the other

Eyes filled with light

Backs held up straight

By courage, valor and honor.

The circle they formed united their hearts -

As one man they stood.

For conscience' sake they stood their ground

As the drums began to play

*

Thirteen men lifted up one voice

In a shout that shook the earth.

One word they sang, one chorus of song

Clear, true, hearty and strong.

Marching feet rose dust from the earth

In a cloud of grit and strife

Leaning, straining, holding on

Speaking truth and right -

The scales tipped...

And the drums beat, three by three

Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty!

*

Thirteen men, all walks of life

Rich and poor alike

Thirteen men stood firm and gasped

As the wave came crashing in.

Suits of red with buttons of gold

Bore down on a mismatched front

The stench of sweat, the taste of blood

Day into day, the fallen lay

Side by side, as the water rushed in.

The torrent flanked them, left and right

Red, with gold-capped waves.

And the drums beat on, beat on, beat on

Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty ride on!

*

Thirteen men stood still and strong

Tattered and torn as the wave receded.

Red and gold stood back to reflect

Blinking their eyes at thirteen men

Standing still and strong.

Another stood there in their midst

Shining bright as the sun.

Thirteen men, arms locked around

In a circle of stars on a blue background

As the drums continued their beat -

Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty, Li-ber-ty won!

*

Thirteen stars on a field of blue

Stars and Stripes waving true -

The cost in blood, stripes of red

Worth the cost? the question rang.

The world stood silent, as did the drums

Awe and wonder as the answer rang -

Life and property worth the cost?

A resounding YES!, as hats removed, held over hearts

Honor given to truth and right.

Liberty won, worth the cost?

YES! Echoes in the years to come

YES! Echoes with the memory of drums

Li-ber-ty! Li-ber-ty! Li-ber-ty, won!