Of Thee I Sing: The Histories of American Patriotic Songs - Chester

Imagine yourself in colonial America; the fire of independence from British rule burns brightly in the hearts of many. In Boston patriots abound; the likes of Paul Revere and Samuel Adams do all they can to fan the flames. Among these radicals is a rather unattractive, scruffy fellow. He walks with a gimp since one leg is noticeably shorter than the other. When he addresses you on the street you shrink in fear. He squints at you from his one good eye and his voice is booming, deep and scratchy all at once. He holds out a hand in greeting and you notice that his other arm is withered. "William Billings, tanner." You offer your hand to him timidly, afraid that in his exuberance he will tear off your arm. He notices you studying the storefront of his shop, almost ornate. "The more art is displayed, the more Nature is decorated, I say!" His laughter echoes down the street. After chatting for a few minutes he invites you to a concert his choir is giving that evening, assuring you that all the songs are his original words and music. Intrigued at what kind of music such a gargoyle would write you decide to go. At the concert Billings proudly announces that the songs will be sung from his book The New-England Psalm-Singer which was written by a man born in America, published on American paper and illustrated on the frontspiece by American Paul Revere. "No English imports for us!" Billings pronounces. You marvel as he holds up the book, the first all-American music book. The music is powerful and memorable, especially a song called Chester. You can sense that this song has stirred both those singing and listening. As you walk down the street afterwards you hear it repeatedly sung as you pass gatherings in houses and taverns.

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
And Slav'ry clank her galling chains,
We fear them not, we trust in God,
New england's God forever reigns.

Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,
With Prescot and Cornwallis join'd,
Together plow our Overthrow,
In one Infernal league combin'd.

When God inspir'd us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd,
Their ships were Shatter'd in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our Coast.