Lyr. Add: ROOT, HOG, OR DIE, C
Patriotic version, 19th C.

I'll tell you of a story that happened long ago,
When the English came to America, I spose you all know,
They couldn't whip the Yankees, I'll tell you the reason why,
Uncle Sam made 'em sing Root, Hog or Die.

John Bull sent to Boston, as you shall plainly see,
Forty large ships loaded clear up with tea,
The Yankees wouldn't pay the tea tax, I'll tell you the reason why,
The Yankee boys made 'em sing Root, Hog or Die.

They first met our armies on the top of Bunker Hill,
When it came to fighting I guess they got their fill,
The Yankee Boys chased they off, I'll tell you the reason why,
The Yankee Boys made 'em sing Root, Hog or Die.

Then they met our Washington at Yorktown,
There the Yankees mowed 'em down like grass from the ground,
Old Cornwallis gave up his sword, I'll tell you the reason why,
General Washington made 'em sing Root, Hog or Die.

Then they came to Baltimore forty years ago,
They tried to take North Point, but found it wouldn't go,
The Baltimoreans chased them off, I'll tell you the reason why,
The Yankee Boys made 'em sing Root Hog or Die.

Then they marched their armies down to New Orleans,
That was the place, I think, that Jackson gave 'em beans,
They couldn't take our cotton bales, I'll tell you the reason why,
General Jackson made 'em sing Root Hog or Die.

Now Johnny Bull has been kicking up a fuss,
He'd better keep quiet or he'll surely make it worse,
We're bound to have Cuba, I'll tell you the reason why,
For Uncle Sam will make 'em sing Root Hog or Die.

Song sheet printed by Horace Partridg, Boston.
American Memory (no tune).