This song was written to be sung to the tune of another song, One Night As Ned Stept Into Bed. The tune for that song is not known.
The song was written to commemorate the storming of the fort at Stoney Point in July, 1779.
July they say, the fifteenth day, In glittering arms arrayed,
That gen'ral Wayne and his brave men The British lines essayed;
Just twelve at night, if I am right, And honestly informed,
Both wings at once they did advance, And Stoney Point they stormed.
With ascents steep, morasses deep, This boasted place abounded,
Strong abettees, of forked trees, Were doubly plac'd around it;
"In this strong place the rebel race Us never dare come nigh, sir,
Great Washington, and all his train, I, Johnson do defy, sir."
But mark the fate of Johnson's hate, How quickly he was humbled,
When light'ning like, bold Wayne did strike, His pride and glory tumbled:
See Fleury brave the standard wave, Which strongly was defended,
And from his foes, 'midst of their blows, Most gallantly did rend it.
Let Stewart's name in books of fame For ever be recorded,
Through show'rs of balls he scaled their walls, And danger disregarded;
O'er stones and rocks heroic Knox To charge the foe he pushed,
In gallant fight, with eagle's flight, O'er their strong ramparts rushed.
And Gibsons, gas as chearful May, His duty well discharged,
he dealt his foes such deadly blows, That left their walls unguarded.
May war's alarms still rouse to arms The gallant sons of bra'vry,
Who dare withstand a tyrant's band, And crush infernal slav'ry.
