Paul Revere's Ride

poetry.eserver.org ^ | 4/19/1860 | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

[Paine in the Neck]

"Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year."

[Paine in the Neck]

I know historians have "deconstructed" this but it's worth re-reading on the aniversaty of "the shot heard 'round the world". It brings me to tears to think of the commitment and courage that generation of Americans showed to risk everything for a doubtful chance at liberty and self-government.

[50sDad]

"Listen my children, with attentive pause
  To the midnight ride of William Dawes."

[Paine in the Neck]

Good start. Do you have more?

[bboop]

Yes, it is quite stirring. As is our history. Very important to post it, thank you so much. “A government OF the people, BY the people, FOR the people....”

[PGR88]

I am afraid that America’s blessings of geography and peace have made us all forget what freedom really means

[catman67]

Don’t forget that this is also the day of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942!

[Paine in the Neck]

I am afraid that America’s blessings of geography and peace have made us all forget what freedom really means

...and costs!

[carton253]

I had the occasion to visit Lexington and Concord. Just being there raised goosebumps along my spine and me proud to be an American. I rode back along the route the British took after they were routed.

[MrEdd]

The Midnight Ride of William Dawes

I am a wandering, bitter shade, Never of me was a hero made; Poets have never sung my praise, Nobody crowned my brow with bays; And if you ask me the fatal cause, I answer only, "My name was Dawes"

'Tis all very well for the children to hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere; But why should my name be quite forgot, Who rode as boldly and well, God wot? Why should I ask? The reason is clear -- My name was Dawes and his Revere.

When the lights from the old North Church flashed out, Paul Revere was waiting about, But I was already on my way. The shadows of night fell cold and gray As I rode, with never a break or a pause; But what was the use, when my name was Dawes!

History rings with his silvery name; Closed to me are the portals of fame. Had he been Dawes and I Revere, No one had heard of him, I fear. No one has heard of me because He was Revere and I was Dawes.

1896, Helen F. Moore.

[Paisan]

As a 40 year resident of MA, this place - Concord, Old North Bridge - is one of the holiest of American shrines.

We had to memorize the poem in grade school. Not anymore. Kids today are so uneducated and confused about their history, they think that Lexington & Concord is a single place instead of two different towns...

[NonValueAdded]

Happy Patriot’s Day everybody. Tonight is the 233rd anniversary of that famous ride.

[Paine in the Neck]

My grandmother had me memorize it. We would recite it together.

I had the good fortune years ago to be kayaking on the Concord River, that flood that is arched by the rude bridge, on the day of the reenactment of the battles. It was tremendously moving. Every American should take the time to view this annual event.

People should remember the cause of the battle, as well. An attempt by the government to seize privately held munitions. How far Massachusetts has fallen...

[MIchaelTArchangel]

John Kerry has followed in the footsteps of Paul Revere. Both set out on noble missions. Paul Revere stopped at taverns along the way and was so drunk he fell off his horse at a tavern in Lexington and was captured by the British. He immediately betrayed the mission.

You all likely know the story of John Kerry's betrayal.

What many of you man not know is that William Dawes and other riders faithfully executed their duties. Most of those who did so are at most mentioned in obscure footnotes in little read history books. The same is true of most of those who faithfully carried out their duties while John Kerry was betraying them.

[50sDad]

Good start. Do you have more? Haw! Sorry, no. I dredged that up from my memory somewhere.

[gopsue]

"Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer is an excellent book (very 'readable'). He explains why we remember Revere and not Dawes. Dawes did indeed go town-to-town, but Paul Revere knew which people to see in each town. He knew where the doctor lived, or the minister. The men in these professions knew everyone and could easily spread the word. Dawes didn't know the key people in each town. Thus, we remember Paul Revere because his ride was more effective.

[Cecily]

A comedian whose name I can’t recall said that this event was the origin of the phrase “*$#&$# you and the horse you rode in on,” as uttered by a Colonial American who was awakened from a sound sleep by Mr. Revere.

[Paine in the Neck]

"Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer is an excellent book...

Just ordered it from Amazon. Thanks for the tip.

[WOBBLY BOB]

maybe Time magazine will have a cover with Algore riding around screaming about Gorebull warming.