The melody from "Gobby-O" was very popular in Colonial America and used in 1800 as "Jefferson & Liberty"
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Story behind the song
Christmas 1776
No single day in history was more decisive for the creation of the United States than Christmas 1776.
On that night a ragged army of 2,400 colonials crossed the ice-choked Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey in the teeth of a nor’easter that lashed their boats and bodies with sleet and snow. After marching all night, they attacked and defeated a garrison of 1500 Hessian troops under the command of Col. Johann Rall at 8 a.m. outside Trenton and score a victory, taking 948 prisoners while suffering only 5 wounded.
"Jefferson & Liberty"
A VERY famous song of the revolutionary period that was derived from the Irish jig "Gobby-O" played as a Virginia Reel.
This is a tune that most likely would have been heard in the Continental Army encampment of 1776.
These lyrics were later written for Thomas Jefferson's presidential campaign in 1800.
The gloomy night before us lies,
The reign of terror now is o'er;
Its gags, inquisitors and spies,
Its hordes of harpies are no more
Chorus:
Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice
To tyrants never bend the knee
But join with heart and soul and voice
For Jefferson and Liberty.
O'er vast Columbia's varied clime
Her cities, forests, shores and dales;
In riding majesty, sublime,
Immortal liberty prevails.
Hail! long expected glorious day
Illustrious memorable morn:
That freedom's fabric from decay
Secures for millions yet unborn.
No lordling here with gorging jaws.
Shall wring from industry its food;
No fiery bigot's holy laws,
Lay waste our fields and streets in blood.
Here strangers from a thousand shores
Compell'd by tyranny to roam;
Shall find, amidst abundant stores,
A nobler and a happier home.
Let foes to freedom dread the name,
But should they touch the sacred tree
Twice fifty thousand swords would flame,
For Jefferson and Liberty.