RARE EARLY MANUSCRIPT COPY OF NATHANIEL NILES’S PATRIOTIC ODE “BUNKER HILL” WITH MUSIC

Manuscript songbook. [New England?], circa 1780s-1810. 16mo, 3 ½ x 6 in. 24 leaves & 1 partial leaves, 46 pages with writing. Original brown morocco flexible boards. 

A very early manuscript copy of Nathaniel Niles’s important patriotic poem, “The American Hero,” complete with original music. The poem is listed under its inspiration and alternative title, “Bunker Hill.” 

In addition to “Bunker Hill,” the booklet contains eleven (11) additional works, most with music. They are all written in the same consistent late 18th-early 19th century hand. Selections include popular traditional tunes, such as “The Rose Tree” and “Leander on the Bay,” as well as works by attributed poets, including “The Hermit” by James Beattie (1735-1803). 

Interestingly, there are some textual variations in the copy here. The last two lines of stanzas 4 & 5 are swapped compared to all known printings. Additionally, there are also some slight word differences throughout, such as "always" instead of "forever" (st. 3, l. 4), "around" instead of "behind" (st. 6, l. 2), and "prayers" instead of "praises" (st. 6, l. 4). The complete text of the poem is included below. 

Nathaniel Niles (1741-1828) was a well-bred New Englander. A true “Renaissance Man,” he attended Harvard College and graduated from Princeton College in 1766, studying law, medicine, and theology. Notably, he gave two sermons in June 1774 in which he argued that the concept of liberty must apply to all, including the enslaved. The sermons are regarded as one of the first abolitionist sermons preached in the colonies. 

At the outbreak of war, Niles was inspired by the bravery of the American patriots at the Battle of Bunker Hill to pen a 15-stanza ode. He wrote the poem in 1775, reportedly as soon as news of the battle reached his Connecticut home, to further inspire the Patriots in their struggle. 

The poem first appeared in print as a broadside published in Norwich, Connecticut, titled “The American Hero: A Saphick Ode by Nath. Niles, A.M.” It was then reprinted in five newspaper issues between 2 February 1776 and April 26th. 

There is some debate about who composed the music for the poem. Many credit Andrew Law (1749-1821), as his 1781 publication A Select Number of Plain Tunes Adapted to Congregational Worship is the earliest known printing of the music. Some, however, attribute the melody to Sylvanus Ripley (1749-1787). 

In the new Republic, Niles was elected as a member of the state house of representatives in 1785 and served as speaker. He held several other prominent positions, including as judge of the supreme court of Connecticut (1784-1788), member of the council (1785 & 1787), delegate ot the state Constitutional Convention (1791), and many other prominent roles. 

An important manuscript copy of one of the most consequential poems of the Revolutionary period. 

Bunker Hill

Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and destruction in the field of battle
Where blood and carnage flood the ground in [Crimson]
Sounding death-groans?

Death will invade us by the means appointed 
And we must all bow to the King of terrors,
Nor am I anxious if I am prepared
What shape he comes in

Infinite goodness teaches us submission,
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings, 
Never ripening, but always praising God our Creator

Well may we praise him all his are perfect
Through a resplendence - infinitely glowing
Mercies and judgment, both proceed from Him 
Infinite kindness

Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine
Nor less his goodness in the storms of thunder
Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals
Struck blind by Lustre!

O then exult that God forever reigneth
Clouds which behind him, hinder our perception
Bind us the stronger to exalt this name, and shout louder prayers

Then to the wisdom of my lord and Master
I will commit all [that] I have or wish for
Swiftly as babes sleep will I give my life up
When call’d to yield it.

Now Mars, I dare thee clad on smoky pillars
Bursting from bumbshels [sic] roaring from the cannon
Rattling in grape shot like a storm of hailstones,
Torturing Aether!

Up the bleak heavens let the spreading flames rise,
Breaking like Aetna through the smokycolumns
Low’ring like Egypt o’er the falling city
Wantonly burnt down

While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc 
Let slip your blood hounds nam’d the British Lions
Dauntless as death stares nimble as the whirlwind
Dreadful as Demons

Let oceans waft o’er all your floating castles
Fraught with destruction horrible to nature
Then with your sails fill’d with a storm of thunder
Bear down to ba[ttle]

From the dire cavern made by ghostly miners
Let the explosion, dreadful as vulcanoes [sic]
Heave the broad town with all its wealth and people 
Quick to destruction

Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven
Never advance where I’m afraid to follow
While that precedes me with an open bosom 
War, I defy thee

Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle
While a fell Despot, grimmer than a death’s head
Stings me with Serpents fiercer than Medusa’s
To the encounter

Life for my country and the cause of freedom
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with
And if preserved in so great a context
Life is redoubled

References
Scott G. Giltner. Music of the American Revolution “The American Hero: A Sapphick Ode.” 17 March 2026. 

“The American hero. Made on the Battle of Bunker-Hill, and the burning of Charlestown,” Isaiah Thomas Broadside Ballads Project, accessed June 18, 2026, https://collections.americanantiquarian.org/thomasballads/items/show/176.

[Colonial America, 13 Colonies, Thirteen Colonies] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe]