General Anthony Wayne, who earned the nickname Mad Anthony Wayne during the storming of the British redoubt at Stony Point, was the subject of this song, written by his own aide-de-camp. The song, titled Anthony Wayne is variously titled Mad Anthony Wayne.
The song was first published in the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
The music to which this song was sung is long forgotten. Albert G. Emerick, who in 1852 edited the book, Songs For The People; Comprising National, Patriotic, Sentimental, Comic, And Naval Songs noted that although the music was long lost to history, he had composed a tune for the song.
His sword blade gleams and his eyelight beams, And never glanced either in vain;
Like the ocean tides at our head he rides, The fearless Mad Anthony Wayne.
Bang! Bang! the rifles go, down falls the startled foe.
And many a Redcoat here tonight, the Continentals scorning,
Shall never meet the blaze of the broad sunlight That shines on the morrow morning.
Was e'er a chief of his speech so brief, Who utters his wishes so plain?
Ere he speaks a word the orders are heard, From the eyes of Mad Anthony Wayne.
Aim! Fire! exclaim his eyes; Bang! Bang! each gun replies,
And many a Redcoat here tonight, the Continentals scorning,
Shall never meet the blaze of the broad sunlight That shines on the morrow morning.
It is best to fall at our country's call, If we must leave this lifetime of pain;
And who would shrink from the perilous brink, When led by Mad Anthony Wayne?
Ran! Tan! the bugles sound, our forces fill the ground,
And many a Redcoat here tonight, the Continentals scorning,
Shall never meet the blaze of the broad sunlight That shines on the morrow morning.
Let them form their ranks in firm phalanx, It will melt at our rifle-ball rain,
Every shot must tell on a Redcoat well, Or we anger Mad Anthony Wayne.
Tramp! Tramp! away we go, now retreats the beaten foe,
And many a Redcoat here tonight, the Continentals scorning,
Shall never meet the blaze of the broad sunlight That shines on the morrow morning.
