Music files
- (Posted 2017-12-09) CPDL #47937:
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2017-12-09). Score information: 7 x 10 inches (landscape), 1 page, 44 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape). All nine stanzas included.
General Information
Title: Genius
First Line: Now be still, ye boisterous passions
Composer: Stephen Jenks
Lyricist: Phelps
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Patriotic music Meter: 87. 87
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1799 in The New England Harmonist
Description: Words by a "Mr. Phelps," of unknown identity (see Steel 1995), with nine stanzas.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
1. Now be still, ye boisterous passions,
Every soul be hushed in peace;
Look, your goddess takes her station,
Mark the beauties of her face.
2. From her lips, in sounds melodious,
Gentle accents sweetly flow;
Listen then, Columbians, listen;
Mark her words she speaks to you.
3. Hail, Columbia! happy nation,
If your happiness you know;
While you follow after virtue,
And the paths of peace pursue.
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4. Wretched Europe ruin threatens,
Mangled bodies strew the plains;
Parents, children, friends and brothers
By each other's hands are slain.
5. Listen, then, Columbians, listen,
While you weep her hapless fall;
While you mourn her dreadful miseries,
Shun her crimes, the cause of all.
6. Haughty tyrants, fed by plunder,
Murders, robberies, thefts and lies,
Injured widows, weeping orphans,
Call for vengeance from the skies.
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7. Then be wise, ye sons of freedom,
Prove your worth, your wisdom prove;
Banish vice and practice virtue,
Cherish honor, peace, and love.
8. Then fair science long shall flourish,
Truth and love go hand in hand;
All the graces joined in concert
Bless this ever happy land.
9. Distant kings shall see thy glory,
Rapt in wonder at the view;
Listen then, Columbians, listen;
Mark my words I speak to you.
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