King's Mountain

For the anniversary of the Battle of King's Mountain

King’s Mountain

 

They came to our mountains

And thought they could tame us

To keep us as slaves of the Crown

But our hearts are free

And we won’t bend our knees

We won’t run and we won’t back down

 

We are the Scottish, we are the Irish

The seeds of our freedom we’ve sown

We are the planters, the fellers of trees

These blue hills have long been our own

 

Men of renown marched hills up and down

To meet at the crest of the ridge

Their hoofbeats brought plunder

Their cannons made thunder

But we held our own at the bridge

 

We slipped through the trees

With no sound on the breeze

We sighted our muskets and stood

Their bright coats of red

Dropped still and lay dead

As our bullets flew fast from the wood

 

In the silvering dawn the Redcoats had gone

Our freedom  it rose like the sun

Each good man that fell sent six down to hell

The war that they brought us we won

 

When daylight recedes and light plays on the leaves

Our voices will whisper again

This nation’s alive and pray God it won’t die

Give thanks to the King’s Mountain men

 

-Zoe Richardson (2024)

 

Author's Note

Don't you love a good story with a happy ending?

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A significant moment in American history like the battle of Guilford Courthouse. Yes, I like history but I'm really interested in the older stuff. As a species, we've only been here a few seconds on the cosmic clock. Which makes us seem insignificant. "Vanity, vanity says the preacher, all is vanity." I liked the poem, very Longfellowish in its delivery.

[Zoe Richardson]

You just paid me the highest compliment anyone could ever give me. I have loved and admired Longfellow since I was in elementary school. It is his poetry I tried to to emulate when I first started putting words on paper. I don't consciously try to emulate him anymore. Other writers influence me, as well. But I go back and read The Fire of Driftwood all the time and it always moves me to tears. I like the older history, too, although I suppose I get stuck somewhere in the 1400-1600 range. I've written poetry about that, too!

[John the Baptist]

With the American Revolution being observed on its 250th anniversary, it is good to recall the Battle of King's Mountain, one of the most important clashes in the southern theater. Interestingly, it was an all American fight, the two sides being represented by different militias. '

[Zoe Richardson]

Why let facts get in the way of a good poem? If I am geing honest, this poem was inspired by a song written about a completely different battle in the War Between The States. I loved the rhyme scheme of that song and at the time I was reading about the Battle of King's Mountain. I hope you won't hold my artistic license against me!

[John the Baptist]

Not at all. You told a ripping good tale here.

[Zoe Richardson]

Thanks! I do my best.

[Neville]

I do indeed ma'am .. and am now so glad I felt obliged to check in .. I could almost feel the kiss of mist and smell the heather .. write on my friend .. Neville