Let tyrants shake their iron rod

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Let tyrants shake their iron rod

Author: William Billings (1778)
Tune: CHESTER (Billings)
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Let tyrants shake their iron rod
And slav’ry clank her galling chains.
We fear them not; we trust in God!
New England’s God forever reigns.

2. Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,
With Prescot and Cornwallis joined,
Together plot our overthrow,
In one infernal league combined.

3. When God inspired us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forced,
Their ships were shattered in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our coast.

4.The foe comes on with haughty stride;
Our troops advance with martial noise;
Their veterans flee before our youth
And gen’rals yield to beardless boys.

5.What grateful off’ring shall we bring?
What shall we render to the Lord?
Loud Halleluiahs let us sing,
And praise His name on ev’ry chord.

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Author: William Billings

William Billings (b. 1746; d. 1800) was an American choral composer, thought by some to be the father of American choral music. His father died when William was 14, and he was forced to drop all formal education and take up tanning to get by. With no formal musical training he began to compose, and his songs were well-loved and traveled quickly. However, due to unsubstantial copyright laws, Billings received hardly a penny from the publication of his music. After a period of fame and prosperity, his music was forgotten, and his last decade was one of decline. Married with six children, he died in poverty, though his music would be resurrected after his death and sung to this day. Laura de Jong Go to person page >

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