By the Rivers of Watertown we sat down ~ & wept, we wept, we wept, we wept ~ When we remember'd thee, O Boston, ~ When we remember'd thee O Boston.

As for our friends, Lord God of Heaven ~ Preserve them, defend them, deliver and restore them ~ Unto us, preserve them, defend them, deliver them unto us again.

For they that held them in Bondage ~ Requir'd of them to take up Arms against their Brethren, ~ Forbid it Lord God, forbid it Lord God, forbid that those who have sucked Bostonian Breasts should thirst for American Blood.

A voice was heard in Roxbury ~ which echo'd thro' the Continent ~ Weeping, weeping, weeping for Boston.

Weeping & weeping for Boston ~ because of their danger, ~ Weeping for Boston because of their danger.

Is Boston my dear town, is it my native place, ~ For since their Calamity I do earnestly remember it ~ Still I do earnestly, I do earnestly, I do earnestly remember it still.

If I forget thee, if I forget thee, yea if I do not remember thee, ~ Then let my numbers cease to flow, ~ Then be my Muse unkind, ~ Then let my tongue forget to move & ever be confined.

Let horrid jargon split the air ~ & rise my nerves assunder, ~ Let hateful discord greet my ear as terrible as Thunder.

Let harmony be banish'd and Consonance depart, ~ Let dissonance erect her throne and reign within my heart.