Fort Dayton 1778 ~ Attack on German Flatts (song)

Song: Fort Dayton 1778
Music, Lyrics & voice: AI

(Verse 1)
The Mohawk flowed, a silver thread,
Where German Flatts made fertile bed.
The Palatine, with stubborn hand,
Had tamed the wild, unyielding land.
The stockades stood, of pine and oak,
A warning to the hatchet's stroke.
Then from the west, a whisper came,
Of Brant's intent and burning flame.
[Chorus]
But in the Fort Dayton, the people held,
By their fire and prayers, their courage swelled.
Every man and woman did their part,
Their courage is marked in America's heart.
[Verse2]
A runner's breath, a panicked pace,
To warn the peace of that small place.
They fled the farms, the mills, the field,
The sturdy homes to fire must yield.
Inside the fort, the settlers packed,
For in their courage, naught was lacked.
But some there were, with fire-bright eyes,
Who saw the strength in their disguise.
[Chorus]
But in the Fort Dayton, the people held,
By their fire and prayers, their courage swelled.
Every man and woman did their part,
Their courage is marked in America's heart.
[Verse3]
They hid their hair and bound their chests,
And donned the breeches, waistcoats, vests.
With borrowed muskets, hard and cold,
They joined the militia, brave and bold.
No man could tell, in shadow's light,
That women also stood to face the fight.
They held the line by Fort's strong wall,
And answered duty's urgent call.
[Chorus]
But in the Fort Dayton, the people held,
By their fire and prayers, their courage swelled.
Every man and woman did their part,
Their courage is marked in America's heart.
[Verse4]
The raiders saw the garrison,
And deemed the bloody game not won.
They watched the fort, a bristling spear,
And knew that costly would-be fear.
So German Flatts burned, house by house,
While watched by every man and spouse.
The fire raged, a crimson haze,
To mark those cruel and bitter days.
[Chorus]
But in the Fort Dayton, the people held,
By their fire and prayers, their courage swelled.
Every man and woman did their part,
Their courage is marked in America's heart.