約翰.迪金森
(JOHN DICKINSON)


自由之歌
The Liberty Song


《自由之歌》是美國第一首愛國歌謠,寫於1768年,作者約翰‧迪金森(1732-1808)是賓夕法尼亞的一位傑出律師,因發表《賓夕法尼亞一農夫的來信》而聞名,書中收入他 1767-1768年發表的十二封信,這些信有助於使輿論轉向反對將新稅強加於殖民地的《湯森條例》。迪金森是賓夕法尼亞出席大陸議會的代表。他反對《獨立宣言》,希望避免戰爭。但儘管如此,他還是參加民團服役。他也是參加制憲會議的代表,會上起草了《美國憲法》,迪金森促使憲法得到批准。賓夕法尼亞州卡萊爾的迪金森學院就是以他的名字命名的。《自由之歌》在殖民地非常流行。實際上到處都在唱這首歌──在公共場合唱,而且常常就是為要激怒英國人和他們的美國朋友。人們很快就接受了歌中的信條:「聯合則存,分裂則亡。」


來,勇敢的美利堅人,手拉著手,
大膽去回應吧,美好的自由在招手;
殘暴的行為壓不住正義的呼聲。
也玷辱不了美利堅的好名聲。

我們生於自由也將生活在自由裏,
我們的錢包已裝滿金錢,
沈著,朋友們,沈著,
給錢不是當奴隸,只為作個自由人。

讓我們向可敬的先輩們歡呼,
他們勇敢地奔向未知的地帶;
為了自由,他們越過大洋,來到荒漠,
死後把自由和美名留給我們。

他們胸懷博大,敢蔑視一切危險,
他們崇高,明智,珍視生來的權利;
我們將虔誠地保留他們給予我們的遺產,
決不破壞他們在陸上和海上的勞動成果。

先輩們用雙手種下的自由之樹,
並為它的壯大和尊嚴而生活;
滿懷喜悅他們高呼:「我們的願望已滿足,
因為我們的子孫將採到我們辛勞的果實。」

官老爺和侍從即將蜂擁而至,
他們像蝗蟲摧殘當年的收成;
假如我們得為別人揮霍而苦幹,
太陽升起有何用,雨水下了也枉然。

那麼,勇敢的美利堅人,手拉著手,
聯合則存,分裂則亡;
從事正義的事業,我們必將成功,
因為上天讚許一切高尚的行為。

千秋萬代都將拍手讚歎,
我們勇敢地支援我們的法律;
我們不怕死但不屑聽人使喚,
因為論自由羞辱比痛苦更可怕。 

讓我為我們君王的健康乾杯,
為不列顛的光榮和財富乾杯,
如她確有公正,我們真有自由,
那種光榮和財富就會永存不朽。

 

The Liberty Song

Come join hand in hand brave Americans all,

And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call:

No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,

Or stain with dishonour America's name.

CHORUS:

In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.

Our purses are ready, Steady. Friends, Steady.

Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy Forefathers--Let』s give them a cheer

To Climates unknown did courageously steer;

Thro' Oceans, to deserts, for freedom they came

And dying bequeath'd us their freedom and Fame.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd, so highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd:

We』ll keep what they gave, we will piously keep.

Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.

The Tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd;

They liv'd to behold growing strong and rever'd;

With transport they cry'd, "Now our wishes we gain

For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."

Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear

Like locusts deforming the charms of the year;

Suns vainly will rise. Showers vainly descend,

If we are to drudge for what others shall spend

Then join hand in hand brave Americans all,

By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;

In so Righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,

For Heaven approves of each generous deed.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause,

Of the courage we'll show in support of our laws;

To die we can bear--but to serve we disdain,

For shame is to freedom more dreadful than pain.

This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health,

And this for Britannia's glory and wealth;

That wealth and that glory immortal may be,

If she is but just--and if we are but Free.