ws tj, jmh conducting
A Marriage of Love and Independence
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
When in the course of human events it becomes
I alone beweep my outcast state
necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
which have connected them with another and to assume
and look upon myself and curse my fate
among the powers of the earth,
wishing me like to one more rich in hope
the separate and equal station to which the Laws
featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,
with what I most enjoy contented least
We, therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name,
Haply I think on thee,–and then my state
and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies
from sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.