Download document

Thomas PAINE


O could we always live and love,


O could we always live and love
And always be sincere,

I would not wish for heaven above,

My heaven would be here.


Though many countries I have seen,

And more may chance to see,

My Little Corner of the World

Is half the world to me;


The other half, as you may guess,

America contains;

And thus, between them, I possess

The whole world for my pains.

I'm then contented with my lot,

I can no happier be;

For neither world I'm sure has got

So rich a man as me.


Then send no fiery chariot down

To take me off from hence,

But leave me on my heavenly ground -

This prayer is Common-sense.


Let others choose another plan,

I mean no fault to find;

The true theology of man

Is happiness of mind.


Liberty Tree

In a chariot of light from the regions of day,

The Goddess of Liberty came;

Ten thousand celestials directed the way

And hither conducted the dame.

A fair budding branch from the gardens above,

Where millions with millions agree,

She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love,

And the plant she named Liberty Tree.

The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground,

Like a native it flourished and bore;

The fame of its fruit drew the nations around,

To seek out this peaceable shore.

Unmindful of names or distinction they came,

For freemen like brothers agree;

With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued,

And their temple was Liberty Tree.

Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old,

Their bread in contentment they ate,

Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold,

The cares of the grand and the great.

With timber and tar they Old England supplied,

And supported her power on the sea;

Her battles they fought, without getting a groat,

For the honor of Liberty Tree.

But hear, O ye swains, 'tis a tale most profane,

How all the tyrannical powers,

Kings, Commons, and Lords, are uniting amain

To cut down this guardian of ours;

From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms

Through the land let the sound of it flee,

Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer,

In defence of our Liberty Tree.