By Roger W. Hancock, the PoetPatriot and craftsman wordsmith. His poetry has been read around the world, via cyberspace, emanating from www.PoetPatriot.com.
Editor's Note: Longfellow's poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, has caused historical confusion and consternation since it was first published in the early 1860s. How so? Well, for starters, Revere never even made it to Concord on that night! In a noble attempt to improve general knowledge of the events of that famous night, we present the following poem. Is it 100% accurate? Well, you never know where a little poetic license might have crept in...
Listen now and hear the story,
Of a calm night's ride in history.
April eighteenth, seventeen-seventy five,
Rebel's war with a messenger's ride.
Missions that will tomorrow revere,
William Dawes and Paul Revere.
British Regulars from Boston mobilize;
As Sons of Liberty come to realize.
Several horsemen were set to ride,
Warn colonists of regulars' stride.
Revere and Dawes, paid to warn,
Stealth patriot leaders in Lexington.
Charleston side of river straits,
Paul Revere on Charles' shore waits.
Church's belfry, lanterns engage,
Revere's plan secures our heritage.
Two if British regulars come by river,
One if soldiers, by land, crossover.
Commissioned mission to warn devout,
Hancock, Adams; their seizure enroute.
Brief glow from old church tower,
Single first light, the night empower.
Signal given, two lanterns clear,
Off to ride goes Paul Revere.
William Dawes from other shore,
Another route to warn of war.
Ride cross country, each house alert;
Regulars steer to rebellion avert.
Awakened colonists prepare to arm,
As William Dawes continues on.
Revere, each farm call, on Lexington way,
Encounter soldiers, then breaks away.
Arriving at Reverend Clark's manse,
Found John Hancock and Samuel Adams.
"The Regulars are coming out!" proclaim,
At sentry's attempt to tame exclaims.
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Mission accomplished; now alarms,
Lexington militia; rally to arms.
United now with Prescott and Dawes,
On to Concord with rebels' cause.
'Took ten British to yield his stride,
Disrupts Paul Revere's, Mystic ride.
William Dawes eludes arrest,
Breaks off pace to save his breast.
Revere now captured, tells a yarn,
Convincing soldiers of pending harm.
Dr. Samuel Prescott in bridled zest,
Leaps stone wall, continues quest.
Dawes, Revere, charges given,
'Twas only Prescott forward driven.
Onward to Concord, sound alarm,
Alert militia... minutemen's arms.
Men of Concord and country side,
Minuteman perimeter of rebel pride.
Paul Revere having bluffed escape
Two hours on foot to Lexington-scape.
Revere arrives at the meeting house,
In time to witness the volley rouse.
Task to hide John Hancock's trunk,
Saving documents then to bunk.
Crisp cool still, morning scene,
Defiant men on Lexington Green.
Able, waiting, colonial caliber,
Every man eager, poised to trigger.
Broken silence by cock's crow,
Stillness breached by British foe.
Ordered to disperse, lay down arms,
Some stand fast, protect their farms.
Soldier, colonist, unknown who first,
Sparked off volley in America's birth.
First shot of freedom's frontier,
Sear, liberty ride of Dawes, Revere.
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©10-15-06 Roger W Hancock, www.PoetPatriot.com.
Artwork: Backgrounds by Word of Mouth Web Design.
 
 
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