Tyrants Prostrate, Liberty Triumphant!

THE DAYS WHEN WE WENT CANVASSING.

Air — “The days when we went Gipseying.”

In the days when we went canvassing
A long time ago,
Our candidates with honor’s flame,
Were warm from top to toe;
We placed them in the state’s high seat,
To guide her laws so free,
Their virtues ruled the land in peace,
And fair prosperity;
But now each chief turns demagogue.
And proves his country’s foe,
Since the days when we went canvassing,
A long time ago,
Since the days when we went canvassing
A long time ago.

But Freedom when the patriots made,
Form’d one of Clay so true,
That boldly he proclaim’d her rights,
Against the traitor crew;
And unto CLAY she proudly points,
And calls each freeman on,
And place him on her rock of power.
To gain her glories gone;
Then let each heart her call obey,
And all again shall know,
The happiness that blest our land,
A long time ago,
The happiness that blest our land,
A long time ago.

Notes:

A canvass is a  a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like, or a campaign for election to government office.

Clay would have done well to look to his left in the election of 1844, specifically to the Liberty Party with James G. Birney as their candidate.  The Liberty Party was strongly abolitionist, and siphoned off enough votes from the Whigs to ensure Polk’s election.

Tomorrow: Harry Clay’s Raisin’