The Mournful Tragedy of James Bird (OT2003-3003-007)

The Mournful Tragedy of James Bird (OT2003-3003-007)

Song excerpted from audio recording OT2003-3003, part of VFC2003-0007 Margaret MacArthur Collection.

Margaret MacArthur Collection -- VFC2003-0007. Vermont Folklife Center Archive, Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury, Vermont, United States of America.

undated

en

VFC2003-0007 OT2003-3002-007

Vermont Folklife Center

The Mournful Tragedy of James Bird

Sons of freedom listen to me
And ye daughters to [sounds like: me hear]
You a sad and mournful story
As was ever told shall hear

Hull you know his troops surrendered
And defenceless left the west
Then our forces quick assembled
The invaders to resist

Amongst the troops that marched to Erie
Were the Kingston's volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our west frontier

Then tender were the scenes of parting
Mothers wrung their hands and cried
Maidens wept their swains in secret
And fathers strove their hearts to hide

[Tape cuts]

Sons of free

[Tape cuts]

Amongst the troops that marched to Erie
Were the Kingstons volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our west frontiers

But there's one among the number
Tall and graceful is his mien
Firm his step his look undaunted
Scarce a nobler youth was seen

There once sweet kiss he snatched from Mary
Craved his mother's prayer once more
Pressed his father's hand and left him
For Lake Erie's distant shore

Soon they came where

[Fairbanks exclaims: "No, hold on." Tape cuts.]

...oon they came where noble Perry
Had assembled all his fleet
Here the gallant Bird enlisted
Hoping soon the foe to meet

He, uh

Where is Bird the battle rages
Is he in the strife or no
Lo the cannons roar tremendous
Dare he meet the hostile foe

But behold a ball has struck him
See the crimson current flow
Leave the deck, exclaimed brave Perry
No, cried Bird, I will not go

Here on deck I took my station
Ne'er will Bird his colors fly
I will stand by you gallant captain
Til we conquer or we die

Still he found though faint and bleeding
Til our stars and strips arose
Victories having crowned our efforts
All triumph o'er our foes

And did Bird receive a pension
No, eh...no

[Fairbanks mumbles, tries to recall lyrics]

No did Bird receive a pension
Was he to his friends restored
No nor never to his bosom
Clasped the maid his heard adored

But there came most dismal tidings
From Lake Erie's distant shore
Better poor if Bird had perished
Amidst the battle's awful roar

Brother sister read this letter
Tis the last you'll hear from me
I must suffer for diserting
From the brig Niagary

Sad and gloomy was the morning
Bird was ordered out to die
Where's the breast not dead to pity
But for him would have a sign

See him march and bear his fetters
Harsh they clank upon the ear
But uh

See he kneels upon his coffin
Sure his death can do no good
Spare him hark o God they shot him
See his bosom streams with blood

Goodby bird farewell forever
Home and friends you'll see no more
For his mangled corpse lies buried
On Lake Erie's distant shore

References

• "Banks of Brandywine, and James Bird." Broadside. Sold by L. Deming, Middlebury, Vermont. Accessed 23 April 2013, Library of Congress. Link.
• Cox, John. Folk-Songs of the South. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925. 261.

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