Secords Warning

Joe Grant

Come all you brave young soldier lads

With your strong and manly bearing

I'll tell you a tale of a woman bold and her deed of honest daring

Laura Secord was American-born in the state of Massachusets

But she made her home in Canada and proved so faithful to us



Chorus

There's American guns and 500 men

So the warning must be given

And Laura Ingersoll Secord was the stalwart heart

Who braved the heat and the flies and the swamp

To warn Colonel Fitzgibbon



There's soldiers pounding at the door

And they come from across the border

American officers march inside

It's food and drink they've ordered

In comfort they have dined and drunk

Their own success they've toasted

But they pay no heed to the woman who hears their plan so idly boasted



Chorus



Oh, James I've overheard it all

A surprise attack they're making

Fitzgibbon they intend to smash

His men for prisoners taking

And James a warning never you'll take with your wounded knee and shoulder

I myself must carry it past the sentries and the soldiers



Chorus



It's an all-day tramp to the British camp

By way of Shipman's Corners

There're snakes and flies and sweat in her eyes

There is no respite for her

She's lost her shoes in the muck of the bog

Her feet are torn and blistered

But there's many a soldier lad to be spared if the message be delivered



Chorus



So all you Yankee soldier lads who dare to cross our border

Thinking to save us from ourselves

Usurping British order

There's women and men Canadians all

Of every rank and station

To stand on guard and keep us free

From Yankee domination



Chorus