HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 405
they had passed, with their baggage, between the ranks, through the whole length of the jolly-hearted procession.”
Monday, August 22d. The people of New Utrecht, and one thousand citizens of color from the city of New York, worked on the fortifications.
Tuesday, August 23d. Labor was performed by the Mechanics’ Society of Kings County, the Military Exempts, and Fire Companies Nos. 1 and 2 of Brooklyn.
The unbounded popular enthusiasm of the times found expression in the following song, which was sung, played, and whistled everywhere on the streets and in the trenches.(1) It was the production of Samuel Woodworth, well known as the author of ”The Old Oaken Bucket;” and was entitled
| Johnny Bull beware, Keep at proper distance, Else we'll make you stare At our firm resistance; Let alone the lads Who are freedom tasting, Recollect our dads Gave you once a basting. Pickaxe, shovel, spade, Crowbar, hoe, and barrow, Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow. |
Grandeur leaves her towers, Poverty her hovel, Here to join their powers With the hoe and shovel. Here the merchant toils With the patriot sawyer, There the laborer smiles, Near him sweats the lawyer. Pickaxe, shovel, spade, Crowbar, hoe, and barrow Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow. |
| To protect our rights ĠGainst your flints and triggers, See on Brooklyn Heights Oar patriotic diggers; Men of every age, Color rank, profession, Ardently engage Labor in succession. Pickaxe, shovel, spade, Crowbar, hoe, and barrow, Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow. |
Here the mason builds Freedom's shrine of glory, While the painter gilds The immortal story. Blacksmiths catch the flame, Grocers feel the spirit, Printers share the fame, And record their merit. Crowbar, hoe, and barrow, Pickaxe, shovel, spade, Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow |
| THE PATRIOTIC DIGGERS. | |
1 Copy of Advertisement in Long Island Star. Brooklyn Heights.—Just pubIished, price six cents, and for sale at this office, a Song called the Patriotic Diggers. Tune, “Great way off at Sea, or Rob and Joan.” Copy-right Secured. Brooklyn, August 28,1814.