Chester

 

George Washington wrote about hearing his Revolutionary War troops singing it.  Thomas Jefferson played it in his violin recitals.  Paul Revere made the printing plates for it.

"Chester" is a patriotic anthem sung during the American Revolutionary War composed by William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800). Billings is regarded as the first American choral composer and leading member of the First New England School. 

Named after a pretty much random city, Billings wrote the first version of Chester for his 1770 songbook The New England Psalm Singer, and made improvements for this version in his The Singing Master's Assistant (1778). 

I've arranged it in 2026 for Barbershop chorus, mostly putting Billing's descant-like "treble" in the baritone, and melodic "tenor" in the lead.

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
And Slav'ry clank her galling chains,
We fear them not, we trust in God,
New England's God forever reigns.

Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,
With Prescot and Cornwallis join'd,
Together plot our Overthrow,
In one Infernal league combin'd.

When God inspir'd us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd,
Their ships were Shatter'd in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our Coast.

The Foe comes on with haughty Stride;
Our troops advance with martial noise,
Their Vet'rans flee before our Youth,
And Gen'rals yield to beardless Boys.

What grateful Off'ring shall we bring?
What shall we render to the Lord?
Loud Halleluiahs let us Sing,
And praise his name on ev'ry Chord.