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This song was popular among the Tories. It was published in the Evening Post in the spring of 1776. Its popularity among the Loyalist residents was due to the pointed ridicule it made of the men who had assembled in Philadelphia to draft legislation for the union of colonies.
The Congress was written to the tune of the song, Nancy Dawson, a traditional Scottish tune.
Ye Tories all rejoice and sing Success to George our gracious king;
The faithful subjects tribute bring And execrate the Congress.
These hardy knaves and stupid fools, Some apish and pragmatic mules,
Some servile acquiescing tools, These, these compose the Congress.
When Jove resolved to send a curse, And all the woes of life rehearse,
Not plague, not famine, but much worse, He cursed us with a Congress.
With freemen's rights they wanton play; At their command, we fast and pray;
With worthless paper they us pay; A fine device of Congress.
With poverty and dire distress, With standing armies us oppress;
Whole troops to Pluto swiftly press, As victims to the Congress.
Time-serving priests to zealots preach, Who king and parliament impeach;
Seditious lessons to us teach, At the command of Congress.
The world's amazed to see the pest, The tranquil land with wars infest;
Britannia puts them to the test, And tries the strength of Congress.
O goddess, hear our hearty prayers! Confound the villains by the ears;
Disperse the plebians - try the peers, And execute the Congress.
See, see, our hope begins to dawn; Bold Carleton scours the northern lawn;
The sons of faction sigh forlorn; Dejected is the Congress.
Clinton, Burgoyne and gallant Howe, Will soon reward our conduct true,
And to each traitor give his due; Perdition waits the Congress.
See noble Dunmore keeps his post; Maraudes and revages the coast;
Despises Lee and all his host, That hair-brain tool of Congress.
There's Washington and all his men, Where Howe had one, the goose had ten,
Marched up the hill, and down again, And sent returns to Congress.
Prepare, prepare, my friends prepare, For scenes of blood, the field of war;
To royal standard we'll repair, And curse the haughty Congress.
Huzza! Huzza! We thrice huzza! Return peace, harmony, and law!
Restore such times as once we saw, And bid adieu to Congress.
Note: The midi file that is linked to this page was sequenced by Barry Taylor, whose website is located at: http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/index.htm
