The Patriot's Password

[Verse 1]  In arms the Austrian phalanx stood, A living wall, a human wood; So still, so dense the Austrians stood, A living wall, a human wood. Impregnable their front appears, All-horrent with projected spears, Whose polished points before them shine, From flank to flank, one brilliant line, [Verse 2] Opposed to these, a hovering band Contended for their fatherland; Peasants, whose new-found strength had broke From manly necks the ignoble yoke, And beat their fetters into swords, On equal terms to fight their lords, And what insurgent rage had gained, In many a mortal fray maintained.   [Verse 3]   And now the work of life and death Hung on the passing of a breath; The fire of conflict burned within, The battle trembled to begin; Yet while the Austrians held their ground, Point for assault was nowhere found; That line ’t were suicide to meet, And perish at their tyrants’ feet: [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty? [Verse 4]    It must not be; this day, this hour, Annihilates the invader’s power; All Switzerland is in the field, She will not fly, she cannot yield, She must not fall; her better fate Here gives her an immortal date. Few were the numbers she could boast, Yet every freeman was a host, [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty? [Verse 4]    It must not be; this day, this hour, Annihilates the invader’s power; All Switzerland is in the field, She will not fly, she cannot yield, She must not fall; her better fate Here gives her an immortal date. Few were the numbers she could boast, Yet every freeman was a host, [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty?   [Verse 5]  It did depend on one indeed; Behold him,—Arnold Winkelried; Unmarked he stood amidst the throng, In rumination deep and long, Till you might see, with sudden grace, The very thought come o’er his face, And by the motion of his form Anticipate the bursting storm!   [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty? [Epic Dramatic Instrumental] [Verse 6] “Make way for liberty!” he cried, Then ran, with arms extended wide, As if his dearest friend to clasp; Ten spears he swept within his grasp; “Make way for liberty!” he cried, Their keen points crossed from side to side; He bowed amidst them, like a tree, And thus made way for liberty.   [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty? [Verse 6] “Make way for liberty!” he cried, Then ran, with arms extended wide, As if his dearest friend to clasp; Ten spears he swept within his grasp; “Make way for liberty!” he cried, Their keen points crossed from side to side; He bowed amidst them, like a tree, And thus made way for liberty.   [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Could Switzerland again be free? Could death make way for liberty? [Verse 7]   Swift to the breach his comrades fly, “Make way for liberty!” they cry, And through the Austrian phalanx dart, As rushed the spears through Arnold’s heart, While, instantaneous as his fall, Rout, ruin, panic seized them all; An earthquake could not overthrow A city with a surer blow. [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Thus Switzerland again was free; Thus death made way for liberty. [Epic Instrumental] [Chorus]  MAKE way for liberty!” he cried, Made way for liberty, and died.   Thus Switzerland again was free; Thus death made way for liberty. [Instrumental Fade Out] [End]