"Defense, But Not Defiance"

Song For The Rifle Volunteers Of Great Britain In General


Come, let our silver bugles ring--
(The gift of grateful beauty)
Whene'er they call we'll gaily spring
To do a soldier's duty.
Our banner fair a vow records
On which we build reliance,
To guide our aim, to bless our swords--
"Defence, but not Defiance."

Chor.
Then let our silver bugles ring, &c.


Our banner yet unchalleng'd flies,
A homely motto bearing,
Long may it float in peaceful skies--
Record no deed of daring;
To Britain's ancient glory we
May point with safe reliance,
So let our quiet motto be--
"Defence, but not Defiance."

Chor.
Then let our, &c.


Let Victory spread her crimson wing
At despots' dark invoking,
For us--to war we'll never spring
Unless at dire provoking.
No lust of foreign glory stains
The Volunteer's affiance,
He would but guard his native plains--
"Defence, but not Defiance."

Chor.
Then let our, &c.


Like other dogs, "the dogs of war"
Have different modes of fighting:
Of one--the bark is worse by far;
Of t'other--worse the biting.
On such a fight--the money down--
I'll bet, with safe reliance,
And name the stake--a British crown--
"Defence" will beat "Defiance."