Item 1: Typescript Poem titled, “The Ballad of James Bird,” by Unknown, no date; hypothesized dates around 1813-14 near the Battle of Lake Erie and James Bird’s execution.

Item — Box: 15, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Typescript Poem titled, “The Ballad of James Bird,” by Unknown, no date

Series VII: Poetry, 1827-1941

From the Series: Series VII: Poetry, 1827-1941, is arranged chronologically and features a broad range of mid 19th century to mid 20th century works including poems, booklets, and correspondence of various themes covering the difficult nature of military battles, religious faith, and romance. A main portion of the series highlights poetry and ballads focusing on the natural beauty of the American landscape and contrasting this with the nation's violent past. Featured authors in this series include Fitz-Greene Halleck, an American poet who worked as the personal secretary and advisor to John Jacob Aster, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the most proficient American poets of the 19th century. Halleck and Longfellow's poems cover religious themes that explore the role that faith plays in determination, its relationship to the land, and how it impacts younger generations. William Henry Furness, American poet who was described by his peers as a theologian, transcendentalist, and an abolitionist, is another author in the collection that explores these religious themes without the nationalistic perspective. Finally, the largest outlier of this series is the romantic poem written by a British Major John Andre who was a major in the British Army and head of its Secret Service in America during the American Revolutionary War. Andre’s poem, The Frantick Lover, is included in a larger booklet with an introduction by Howard H. Peckham, historian and an authority on colonial and early American history, who provides background and historical context on the Major and the development of the poem. Central themes of this work include the destructive effect that feelings of jealousy and obsession can have especially when disguised as feelings of love. This work provides an interesting comparison to the other American poets within the collection.

Dates

Created: no date; hypothesized dates around 1813-14 near the Battle of Lake Erie and James Bird’s execution.

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Typescript Poem (photocopy)

Condition:

Good.

Measurements:

11 in. x 8 ½ in.

Title:

The Ballad of James Bird

Description:

The ballad covers the story of James Bird. He left his family to fight, was injured in battle and refused to abandon his ship and continued to fight until they won. The ballad then shifts to a letter Bird sent to his parents to warn them of his execution because he “must suffer fir deserting/From the brig Niagara” (ll.64-5). The public is upset about his execution and begging for his life to be spared but in the end Bird is shot and the ballad says farewell. Sometimes referred to as a song that was sung after his execution.

For further historical context: https://historybecauseitshere.weebly.com/james-bird---the-battle-of-lake-erie-the-execution-the-ballad.html

Transcription:

[Page 1]

Sons of Freedom, listen to me, And ye daughters, too give ear, You a sad and mournful story As was ever told, shall hear.

Hull, you know, his troops surrendered, And defenseless left the west; Then our forces quick assembled, The invaders to resist.

Among the troops that marched to war, Were the Kingston volunteers; Captain Thomas them commanded, To protect our west frontiers.

Tender were the scenes of parting, Mothers wrung their hands and cried, Maidens wept their swains in secret, Fathers strove their tears to hide.

There is one among the number, Tall and graceful is his men, Firm his step, his look undaunted, Scarce a nobler youth was seen.

(New side)

One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary, Craved his mother’s prayer, and more, Pressed his fathers hand, and left them, For Lake Erie’s distant shore.

Mary tried to say “Farewell, James,” Waved her hand, but nothing spoke, “Good-bye, Bird, may Heaven preserve you,” From the rest at parting broke.

Soon they came where noble Perry Had assembled all his fleet; Then the gallant Bird enlisted, Hoping soon the foe to beat.

Where is Bird? The battle rages; Is he in the strife or no? Now the cannon roars tremendous; Dare he meet the hostile foe?

Aye! behold him! see him, Perry! In the selfsame ship they fight; Though his messmates fall around him Nothing can his soul affright.

[Page 2]

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 cutlass ply; I’ll stand by you, gallant captain, Till we conquer or we die.”

Still he fought, though faint and bleeding, Till our stars and stripes wave o’er us, Victory having crowned our efforts, All triumphant o’er our foes.

And did Bird receive a pension? Was he to his friends restored? No; nor never to his bosom, Clasped the maid his heart adored.

But there came most dismal tidings From Lake Erie’s distant shores; Better far if Bird had perished Midst the battle’s awful roar.

“Dearest parents,” said the letter, This will bring sad news to you; Do not mourn your first beloved, Though this bings his last adieu.

“I must suffer fir deserting From the brig Niagara; Read this letter, brothers, sisters, ‘Tis the last you’ll hear from me.”

Sad and gloomy was the morning Bird was ordered out to die; Where’s the breast not dead to pity But for him would heave a sigh?

Lo! He fought so brave at Erie, Freely bled and nobly dared; Let his courage plead for mercy, Let his precious life be spared.

See him march and bear his fetters; Hark! they clank upon the ear; But his step is firm and manly, For his heart ne’er harbored fear.

See him kneel upon his coffin, Sure his death can do no good; Spare him! spare! O God, they shoot 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.

- Translation End -