4th
Happy Insurrection Day, citoyens!
Here’s a little Kipling to get you all in the festive spirit:
‘Twas not while England’s sword unsheathed
Put half a world to flight,
Nor while their new-built cities breathed
Secure behind her might;
Not while she poured from Pole to Line
Treasure and ships and men—
These worshippers at Freedoms shrine
They did not quit her then!
Not till their foes were driven forth
By England o’er the main—
Not till the Frenchman from the North
Had gone with shattered Spain;
Not till the clean-swept oceans showed
No hostile flag unrolled,
Did they remember that they owed
To Freedom—and were bold!
Have fun kids, drink responsibly, try not to start any careless wars in your celebratory exuberance, and please play safe with those firecrackers.
Oh, and be sure to sing a round of America The ‘Why Aye She’s A Canny Lass’ for me.