The Ballad of Sybil Luddington

The patriot soldiers were on leave and to their homes retired
When redcoats came to Danbury and lit it up by fire
The British troops were marching up the Hudson River way
An effort to divide the force that might get in their way

A rider came that stormy night and banged upon the door
Of the leader of a regiment of soldiers in the war
To colonel Henry Luddington the rider made his plea
To muster troops and stop the Brits and save their liberty

The colonel pledged to lead the troops against the mighty foe
But someone had to round them up so they'd know where to go
Then Henry's daughter spoke right up and said she'd make the ride
And rally men from near and far across the countryside


(Chorus)
16 years old was far too young
16 years old was  Sybil Luddington
On a stormy night on her colt named Star
Made a 40 mile ride in the bb revolution war


She grabbed her father's cape and then prepared her horse to run
Then sheathed her knife and in a holster she did put her gun
She mounted Star and rode him out into the pouring rain
And very gently trotted him so that he'd not be lame

Then six miles to Carmel she rode with hickory branch in hand
To rap upon the windows of the houses of the land
"The Brits are burning Danbury" she yelled "bring out your arms."
"We're gathering at Ludington's to there protect our farms."
(Chorus)

Then off she rode into the night aboard her noble steed
Shaw's pond and Lake Mahopac, Through dense fog to do the deed
Then six miles more to Red Mills, a treacherous muddy route
Star walked it slow so they would make it there without a doubt

"We're halfway there," she called to Star, "Come now to Hitchcock Hill."
His sturdy legs fought hard against slick rock and windy chill
To Kent Cliffs through the soggy pines right past the loyalist tents
Close to a lake, a muddy trek, their strength was nearly spent
(Chorus)

She slowed Star's pace, his footing sure to climb a slippery hill
A post office came into view, the one at Farmers Mills
"Turn out your troops," she hollered out, "for Danbury's on fire
We gathering at Luddington's - the situation's dire."!

A lantern swung out through the dark from Mrs. Hasbrouck's inn
A mug of Cider she held up
And Sybil drank it in
Up Big Buck Mountain peering through she saw a group of men
Then hammered iron rang aloud "We heard, we'll fight again."

Just five more miles to Pecksville and another five to home
And in the dawn Parade grounds a gathering was shown
There hundreds drilled and marched about with papa in the lead
Tarnation! Sybil and her horse, their mission did succeed.
(Chorus)

Then guard your rights Americans
Nor stoop to lawless sway
Oppose! Oppose! Oppose!
For North America!