catsittingstill

So a while back I heard about Sybil Ludington. She completed a ride like Paul Revere's, except that she went about three times as far, through bandit-infested country, and was sixteen years old at the time.

There are a couple of poems about her, but I thought I would try my hand also, and here is the resulting song:


Ludington's Ride
lyrics and melody by Cat Faber 2012
mp3 here, pdf sheet music here

   Dm                     C     Dm
A cantering horse in the rainy night
 C                           Dm
Lacking an escort or even a light
     Dm            F        C     
The red coats are coming inland again
 F                 C         A
Colonel Ludington calls his men

    Dm                    C        Dm
   Out of the forest and past the farms
    Dm       F        G       A
   Sibyl is summoning all to arms!
        F                   C        
   The regiment marches at break of day.
    F                       A
   Leave your blankets and come away;
    Dm                      C     Dm
   Leave your blankets and come away!”

She rattles the shutters to give account
Saving the seconds it takes to mount
Wake up! You're needed in Danbury
To harry the enemy to the sea!

The British have landed at Compo Beach
Danbury village within their reach
As soldiers, you know what they came to do
Burn our provisions and houses too!

The oil and lard of the burning meats
Runs like water in Danbury streets
The British, enjoying our rum and wines
Warm their bellies and cloud their minds.

Wake the others, and arm and see
Go straight to my father; don't follow me
I've miles to ride ere my job is done
Yes, I'll be careful--now rise and run!

Sybil Ludington stayed her course
Home at dawn on a weary horse
The life she lived, I can't deny
Never rose to the public eye--
     Dm       F           C    Dm
Her depth of courage held ever by.