约翰.迪金森
(JOHN DICKINSON)


自由之歌
The Liberty Song


《自由之歌》是美国第一首爱国歌谣,写于1768年,作者约翰.迪金森(1732-1808)是宾夕法尼亚的一位杰出律师,因发表《宾夕法尼亚一农夫的来信》而闻名,书中收入他 1767-1768年发表的十二封信,这些信有助于使舆论转向反对将新税强加于殖民地的《汤森条例》。迪金森是宾夕法尼亚出席大陆议会的代表。他反对《独立宣言》,希望避免战争。但尽管如此,他还是参加民团服役。他也是参加制宪会议的代表,会上起草了《美国宪法》,迪金森促使宪法得到批准。宾夕法尼亚州卡莱尔的迪金森学院就是以他的名字命名的。《自由之歌》在殖民地非常流行。实际上到处都在唱这首歌──在公共场合唱,而且常常就是爲要激怒英国人和他们的美国朋友。人们很快就接受了歌中的信条:“联合则存,分裂则亡。”


来,勇敢的美利坚人,手拉着手,
大胆去回应吧,美好的自由在招手;
残暴的行爲压不住正义的呼声。
也玷辱不了美利坚的好名声。

我们生于自由也将生活在自由里,
我们的钱包已装满金钱,
沉着,朋友们,沉着,
给钱不是当奴隶,只爲作个自由人。

让我们向可敬的先辈们欢呼,
他们勇敢地奔向未知的地带;
爲了自由,他们越过大洋,来到荒漠,
死后把自由和美名留给我们。

他们胸怀博大,敢蔑视一切危险,
他们崇高,明智,珍视生来的权利;
我们将虔诚地保留他们给予我们的遗産,
决不破坏他们在陆上和海上的劳动成果。

先辈们用双手种下的自由之树,
并爲它的壮大和尊严而生活;
满怀喜悦他们高呼:“我们的愿望已满足,
因爲我们的子孙将采到我们辛劳的果实。”

官老爷和侍从即将蜂拥而至,
他们像蝗虫摧残当年的收成;
假如我们得爲别人挥霍而苦干,
太阳升起有何用,雨水下了也枉然。

那麽,勇敢的美利坚人,手拉着手,
联合则存,分裂则亡;
从事正义的事业,我们必将成功,
因爲上天赞许一切高尚的行爲。

千秋万代都将拍手赞叹,
我们勇敢地支持我们的法律;
我们不怕死但不屑听人使唤,
因爲论自由羞辱比痛苦更可怕。 

让我爲我们君王的健康干杯,
爲不列颠的光荣和财富干杯,
如她确有公正,我们真有自由,
那种光荣和财富就会永存不朽。

 

The Liberty Song

Come join hand in hand brave Americans all,

And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call:

No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,

Or stain with dishonour America's name.

CHORUS:

In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.

Our purses are ready, Steady. Friends, Steady.

Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy Forefathers--Let’s give them a cheer

To Climates unknown did courageously steer;

Thro' Oceans, to deserts, for freedom they came

And dying bequeath'd us their freedom and Fame.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd, so highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd:

We’ll keep what they gave, we will piously keep.

Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.

The Tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd;

They liv'd to behold growing strong and rever'd;

With transport they cry'd, "Now our wishes we gain

For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."

Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear

Like locusts deforming the charms of the year;

Suns vainly will rise. Showers vainly descend,

If we are to drudge for what others shall spend

Then join hand in hand brave Americans all,

By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;

In so Righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,

For Heaven approves of each generous deed.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause,

Of the courage we'll show in support of our laws;

To die we can bear--but to serve we disdain,

For shame is to freedom more dreadful than pain.

This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health,

And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;

That wealth and that glory immortal may be,

If she is but just--and if we are but Free.