5/25/1775: HMS Cerebus arrives Boston (per Silber)
Generals Howe, Clinton & Burgoyne arrive in the American colonies to enforce the "Intolerable Acts." They waged & won the first real battle of the war, The Battle of Long Island, on 8/27/1776 & forced the Manhattan evacuation. Although this battle was won, it marked the beginning of the end of Britain-as-we-know-it. (Note: this song has nothing to do with the Stamp Act which was passed 1765 & repealed 1776.)
Three generals these mandates have borne 'cross the sea,
To deprive 'em of fish and make 'em drink tea;
In turn, sure, these freemen will boldly agree,
To give 'em a dance upon Liberty Tree.
"Fish and Tea" also called "What A Court Hath Old England," based on "Liberty Hall," which was written by George Stevens of London in 1757. See Burl Ives Song Book, see Irwin Silber and also Folkways LP Songs of Independence, Committee of Correspondence & also DigTrad.
Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved