Lyrics:
When the war cry of liberty rang through the land
To arms sprang our fathers the foe to withstand
On old Bunker Hill their entrenchments they reared
When the army is joined by a young volunteer
Tempt not death cried his friends but he bade them goodbye
Singing oh it is sweet for my country to live
But if live I cannot for my country I’ll die
The tempest of battle now rages and swells
Mid the thunder of canon, the peeling of bells
And a light not of battle illumes yonder spire
Scene of sadness, of woe – is Charleston on fire?
But the young volunteer he did not the sad cry
Singing oh it is sweet for my country to live
But if live I cannot for my country I’ll die
With trumpets and banners the full draweth near
When a party of musketry checks their career
With the dead and the dying the hillside is sown
And the shout through our lines is the day is our own
But not yet shouts the young volunteer do they fly
Singing oh it is sweet for my country to live
But if live I cannot for my country I’ll die
Now our powder is spent and they rally again
Retreat says our chief since unamed we remain
But the young volunteer lingers yet on the field
Reluctant to fly and reluctant to yield
And a shot then rings out and brave Warren gives sigh
Crying oh it is sweet for my country to live
But if live I cannot for my country I’ll die