The Ballad of James Bird

Archive

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Bay Village Historical Society

Julia Osborn (1813-1833): Copyright: Bay Village Historical Society; Origsize: 4" x 6 1/2"; Origformat: Other
Julia Osborn (1813-1833)

Copyright: Bay Village Historical Society; Origsize: 4" x 6 1/2"; Origformat: Other

Name/Title

The Ballad of James Bird

Entry/Object ID

2011.01.033

Scope and Content

A fragile booklet that has been dismantled in what appears to be Julia Osborn's writing. Originally it was 14 pages when folded in half. The writing is written in prose and discusses daily life during the War of 1812 regarding the story of James Bird which began before the Battle of Lake Erie on Commodore Perry's flagship, the Lawrence, and ended in September 1813. The “Ballad of James Bird” began to be sung in Ohio and shortly after his execution in 1814 for desertion. There are various version of how this came about. The charges appear to have been in error. Previous notes: A/B do not seem to be connected to the remainder of the booklet. C/D Contain front and back pages of the booklet E/F Contain pages from the midpart - numbered paragraphs G/H Additional middle pages 2011.01.033A Front left page: To Julia May angels greet thee, with parental care, And every blessing fall to Julia's share: In wisdom's paths, securely may you head By fortune followed, and by virtue led Perhaps we part, to meet no more and who my dear can show What --- of ----, --- joy Await its here believe When life and all it’s seemed are over O may need to meet to part no more, Half second page: Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to thy cross I cling Naked come to thee for dress Helpless look to thee for grace Foul I to the fountain fly Wash me Saviour or I die While I Draw this fleeting breath When my eye string break in death When I soar to worlds unknown See thee on my judgement throne 2011.01.033B King George and the French could never agree Where their divided line should be Till they have fought by land and sea They both seemed in a rage Our king did neither fear nor doubt Till after a many of battle were fought He never could give in his might without Till fifty six year was proclaimed On Abrahams plain over ---- did tame General Wolfe did lead the band For men to fight in heart and land The battles won egan ___________________________________ In fifteen minutes there was slain Till fifteen hundred on the plain The dead men fell like drops of rain The price of battle were won And when Wolfes breast received a wack He cries to his many men come all Sought on fight oh he cries amen The fields of battles our own ____________________________________ And he lay blessings on the plains 2011.01.033C The blood came gushing from every vein Fight on fight he cries at men The price of battle is our own ____________________________________ Some say the French are three to one But yet our army makes them run To take Quebec it must be done In the year of seventy nine _____________________________________ Our cannon with a thundering sound The walls of the city were thrust to the ground The lofty high steeples came bowing down In homage out of George’s crown _____________________________________ Brave Saunders has come with sixty sale The sea looks --- what do they all With a love triumph and a pleasant gale To take Quebec we go Tis not swords nor yet our vows That gives the french their over bows It was the love that ordered it so He reigns and rules always. His wonders doth the nations rise He is king eternal above the skies. *Julia Osborn written on the side 2011.01.033D 1. Jerusalem my happy home O how I long for thee When will my sorrows have an end Thy joys when shal[l] I see _____________________________________ 2. Thy worlds are all of precious stones Most glorious to behold Thy gates are richly set with gold pearl Thy streets are paved with gold _____________________________________ 3. Thy gardens and thy pleasant green My study long has been. Such sparkling light by human sig[ht] Has never yet been seen. _____________________________________ 4. If heaven be this glorious love Why should I stay from thence What folly tis that I should dread To die and go from thence. 5. Reach down reach down thine arm of grace And cause me to ascend Where congregation never breaks up And sabbath never breaks ends. Jesus my love for glory’s gone Here will I go and see And all my brethren there below Will soon come after me So late had been his pride Brave boys tis Germany to behold _______________________________________ Pity the poor seaman O think of the marines for on the Gallow Alas from the home of his family love and youth No mother to watch --- his sleep broken --- No father to counsel, no sister to soother ________________________________________ Alone mid the waters of the desolate ocean His prison house floats far the shore of the nation Leaving all that his bosom regards with dear Society kindred and country behind ________________________________________ Ah! While know ye! Who are peacefully sleeping On homes --- pillow unwaken’d and warm The woes of the seamen his dreary watch keep him Amid all the horrors of amid might and storm ________________________________________ Oh! say shall the wretch! Thus to ---- --- --- For all that entwines around the bosom below ----- Be sternly that out from communion with heaven And end his sad life in mansion of woe ________________________________________ Pour hour on his faith way of tempest ----- ------- The radient light of the gayest of peace --------- And bellehem’s star shall his message fill ------ To the heaven where our kings and temples place 2011.01.033E James Bird June bloom of Autumn Sons of pleasure listen to me And ye daughters too give ear You a sad and mournful story As ever yet was told shall hear _______________________________________ Hull you know his troops surrendered And defenseless left the west Then our forces quick assembled The invader to resist ______________________________________ Amongst the troops that marched to Erie Where the Kingston volunteers Captain Thomas then commander To protect our west frontiers ______________________________________ Tender were the scenes of parting Mothers wrung their names and cried Maidens wept their loves in secret Fathers strove their tears to hide ______________________________________ Germany I scarce had got into my bed I scarce had got a sleep Before this brave young Captain Came standing at my feet _____________________________________ Arise arise young sailor Come along with me To the lowlands of Holland To fight the Germany _____________________________________ A fine ship’s prepareing A fine ship for to sale Four and twenty Mary’s men To leave it away _____________________________________ It saileth into Holland I oft times have been told Into the lowlands of Holland May love lies Dear and bold 2011.01.033F No peace of clothes on my back No comb to go through my hair No rings on my fingers Shall thou see ____________________________________ For never married be Until the Day I die Since the Lowlands of Holland Parts my true love and me ____________________________________ A, I dear daughter Dear daughter what makes you my own Theres Loves enough in Germany To set your heart at content _____________________________________ Theres Love enough in Germany But there’s none for me I never had but one true love And he his drowned in the sea _____________________________________ He is drowned in the sea And left me here to mourn My friends I bid you all adieu I leave you in Gods care And if I never more see you Go on I’ll meet you there There we shall meet no more to part And heaven shall ring with praise While Jesus love in every heart Shall tune the song free grace Millions of years around me run Our songs shall still go on To praise the Father and the Son And spirit three in one When we’ve been there a thousand years Bright shining as the sun We’ve no less days to sing Gods praise Than when we first begun A hymn to be sung at ---- ------ ----- ---- 2011.01.033G Now the cannons was tremendous Dare he meet the foe _____________________________________ Aye behold him see wit Perry In the selfsame ship they fight Though his messmates fall around him Nothing can his soul affright _____________________________________ But behold a ball has struck him See the crimson current flow Leave the deck exclaimed brave Perry No cried Bird I will not go _____________________________________ Here on deck I took my station Here will Bird his colour fly I’ll stand by you gallant captain Till we conquer or we die ______________________________________ So he fought through faint and bleeding Till our stars and stripes arose Victory having crowned our efforts All triumphant over our foes And did bird receive a pention Was he to his friends restored No nor even to his bosom Clasped the Maid his heart adored ______________________________________ But there came most dismal tidings From Lake Erie distant shore Better if poor Bird had perished Amidst the battle roar ______________________________________ Dearest parents said the letter This will bring sad news to you Do not mourn your first beloved Though this brings his last adieu ______________________________________ I must suffer for deserting From the brig Niagara Read this letter brothers, sisters This is the last you’ll hear from me ______________________________________ Sad and gloomy was the morning Bird was ordered out to die Wheres the breast not dead to pity 2011.01.033H But for him will heave a sigh ______________________________________ Oh he fought so brave at Erie Freely bleed and boldly dared Yet not his courage plead for mercy Let his precious life be spared ______________________________________ So he kneels upon his coffin Sure his can do no good Spare him hark, O God they shot him Oh his bosom streams with blood ______________________________________ Farewell bid farewell forever Friends and home he’ll see no more But his mangled corpse lies behind On Lake Erie’s distant shore ______________________________________ But there was on among the numbers Small and graceful in his mean Firm his step, his look undaunted Never a nobler youth was seen ______________________________________ One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary Begged his mother’s prayers once more Pressed his father’s hand and felt them For Lake Erie’s distant shore ______________________________________ Many tried to say farewell James Waved his hand but nothing spoke Good by Bird may heaven Protect you from the rest and parting lake ______________________________________ Soon they came where noble Perry How assembled all his fleet There the gallant Bird enlisted Hoping soon the foe to meet ______________________________________ Where is Bird the battle rages Is he in the strife or no NEWCover - blank Page 1 To Julia May angels greet thee, with parental care, And every blessing fall to Julia’s share: The wisdom’s path securely may you head By fortune followed, and by virtue led Perhaps part to meet no more Head who my dear can show What seems of sorrow, or of joy Await us here believe When life and all its seen are over O may we meet to part no more, Page 2 Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to thy cross I cling Naked come to thee for dress Helpless look to thee for grace Foul I to the fountain fly Wash me Saviour or I die While I Draw this fleeting breath When my eye string break in death When I soar to worlds unknown See thee on my judgement throne Page 3 2011.01.033B King George and the French could never agree Where their divided line should be Till they have fought by land and sea They both seemed in a rage _____________________________________ Our king did neither fear nor doubt Till after a many of battle were fought He never could give in his might without Till fifty six year was proclaimed __________________________________ On Abrahams plain over force did tame General Wolfe did lead the band For men to fight in heart and land The battles won egan ___________________________________ In fifteen minutes there was slain Full fifteen hundred on the plain The dead men fell like drops of rain The field of battle were won ___________________________________ And when Wolfes breast received a bulet He cries to his many men come all Sought on fight oh he cries amen The fields of battles our own ____________________________________ And he lay bleeding on the plain Page 4. 2011.01.033C The blood came gushing from every vein Fight on fight he cries at men The price of battle is our own ____________________________________ Some say the french are three to one But yet our army makes them run To take quebec it must be done In the year of seventy nine _____________________________________ Our cannon with a thundering sound The walls of the city were thrust to the ground The lofty high steeples came bowing down In homage out of George’s crown _____________________________________ Brave Saunders has come with sixty sale The sea looks ner what do they all With a love triumph and a pleasant gale To take quebec we go Tis not swords nor yet our vows That gives the french their over bows It was the love that ordered it so He reigns and rules always. His wonders doth the nations rise He is king eternal above the skies. *”Julia Osborn” written on the side Page 5. 2011.01.033D 1. Jerusalem my happy home O how I long for thee When will my sorrows have an end Thy joys when shal I see _____________________________________ 2. Thy worlds are all of precious stones Most glorious to behold Thy gates are richly set with gold pearl Thy streets are paved with gold _____________________________________ 3. Thy gardens and thy pleasant green My study long has been. Such sparkling light by human sig[ht] Has never yet been seen. _____________________________________ 4. If heaven be this glorious love Why should I stay from thence What folly tis that I should dread To die and go from thence. 5. Reach down reach down thine arm of grace And cause me to ascend Where congregation never breaks up And sabbath never breaks ends. Jesus my love for glory’s gone Here will I go and see And all my brethren there below Will soon come after me Page 6 EF My friends I bid you all adieu I leave you in Gods care And if I never more see you Go on I’ll meet you there There we shall meet no more to part And heaven shall ring with praise While Jesus love in every heart Shall tune the song free grace Millions of years around me run Our songs shall still go on To praise the Father and the Son And spirit three in one When we’ve been there a thousand years Bright shining as the sun We’ve no less days to sing Gods praise Than when we first begun A hymn to be sung at alter of Mrs Smith Page 7 2011.01.033E James Bird June bloom of Autumn Sons of pleasure listen to me And ye daughters too give ear You a sad and mournful story As ever yet was told shall hear _______________________________________ Hull you know his troops surrendered And defenseless left the west Then our forces quick assembled The invader to resist ______________________________________ Amongst the troops that marched to Erie Where the Kingston voultiers [volunteers] Captain Thomas then commander To protect our west frontiers ______________________________________ Tender were the scenes of parting Mothers wrung their hands and cried Maidens wept their loves in secret Fathers strove their tears to hide 8. But there was one among the numbers Small and graceful in his mean Firm his step his look undaunted Never a nobler youth was seen ______________________________________ One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary Brave his mothers prayers once more Pressed his fathers hand and felt them For Lake Eries distant shore ______________________________________ Mary tried to say farewell James Waved her hand but nothing spoke Good by Bird may heaven Protect you from the rest and broke parting ______________________________________ Soon they came where noble Perry Had assembled all his fleet There the gallant Bird enlisted Hoping soon the foe to meet ______________________________________ Where is Bird the battle rages Is he in the strife or no 9. 2011.01.033G Now the cannons roar tremendous Dare he meet the foe _____________________________________ Aye behold him see wit Perry In the selfsame ship they fight Though his messmates fall around him Nothing can his soul affright _____________________________________ But behold a ball has struck him See the crimson current flow Leave the deck exclaimed brave Perry No cried Bird I will not go _____________________________________ Here on deck I took my station Here will Bird his colour fly I’ll stand by you gallant captain Till we conquer or we die ______________________________________ So he fought through faint and bleeding Till our stars and stripes arose Victory having crowned our efforts All triumphant over our foes 10. And did Bird receive a pention Was he to his friends restored No nor even to his bosom Clasped the Maid his heart adored ______________________________________ But there came most dismal tidings From Lake Erie distant shore Better if poor Bird had perished Amidst the battle roar ______________________________________ Dearest parents said the letter This will bring sad news to you Do not mourn your first beloved Though this brings his last adieu ______________________________________ I must suffer for deserting From the brig Niagara Read this letter brothers, sisters This is the last you’ll hear from me ______________________________________ Sad and gloomy was the morning Bird was ordered out to die Wheres the breast not dead to pity 11. 2011.01.033H But for him will heave a sigh ______________________________________ Oh he fought so brave at Erie Freely bledd and boldly dared Yet not his courage plead for mercy Let his precious life be spared ______________________________________ So he kneels upon his coffin Sure his can do no good Spare him hark, O God they shot him Oh his bosom streams with blood ______________________________________ Farewell Bird farewell forever Friends and home he’ll see no more But his mangled corpse lies buried On Lake Erie’s distant shore 12. Germany I scarce had got into my bed I scarce had got a sleep Before this brave young Captain Came standing at my feet _____________________________________ Arise arise young sailor Come along with me To the lowlands of Holland To fight the Germany _____________________________________ A fine Ship’s prepareing A fine Ship for to sale Four and twenty Mary’s men To bear it away _____________________________________ It saileth into Holland I oft times have been told Into the lowlands of Holland My love lies Dear and bold 13. 2011.01.033F No peace of clothes on my back No comb to go through my hair No rings on my fingers Shall thou see ____________________________________ For never married be Until the Day I die Since the Lowlands of Holland Parts my true love and me ____________________________________ A, I dear daughter Dear daughter what makes you my own Theres Loves enough in Germany To set your heart at content _____________________________________ Theres Love enough in Germany But there’s none for me I never had but one true love And he is drowned in the sea _____________________________________ He is drowned in the salt sea And left me here to mourn 14. So late had been his pride Brave boys tis Germany to behold _______________________________________ Pity the poor seaman O think of the marines for on the Gallow Alas from the home of his family love and youth No mother to watch over his sleep broken over hill No father to counsel, no sister to soother ________________________________________ Alone mid the waters of the desolate ocean His prison house floats at the shore of the nation Leaving all that his bosom regards with dear Society kindred and country behind ________________________________________ Ah! While know ye! Who are peacefully sleeping On homes downy pillow unwaken’d and warm The woes of the seamen his dreary watch keep him Amid all the horrors of mid night and storm ________________________________________ Oh! say shall the wretch! Thus to banish For all that entwines around the bosom below Be sternly shut out from communion with heaven And end his sad life in mansion of woe ________________________________________ Pour hour on his faith way of tempest from gloom The radient fight of the gospel of peace And Bethlehem star shall his message fill To the haven where our kings and temples place

Collection

Osborn Family Collection

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Osborn, Julia (1813-1833)