Let Tyrants Shake Their Iron Rods

Let tyrants shake their iron rods,
And slavery clank her galling chains:
We see them not; we trust in God:
New England’s God forever reigns.

Author: William Billings

Year: 1770

This is the opening stanza of the patriotic anthem "Chester," first published by Billings in The New-England Psalm-Singer (1770). The full text continues with references to "Howe" and other Revolutionary figures; no other author is known.