The Lees of Old Virginia

"The Lees of Old Virginia" is another song from the musical "1776" by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin have come to Richard Henry Lee to ask him to gather support for independence in Virginia and bring back of formal resolution for independence. Lee sings enthusiastically about his confidence in being able to accomplish this.

Lyrics:

Lee:

My name is Richard Henry Lee; Virginia is my home

My name is Richard Henry Lee; Virginia is my home

And my horses turn to glue if I can't deliver

Unto you a resolution on independency!

For I am FFV, the first family

In the sovereign colony of Virginia

Yes I am FFV, the oldest family

in the oldest colony in America

And may the British burn my land if I can't deliver

To your hand a resolution on independency!

You see it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee

And everywhere-a-Lee-a-Lee

Social-Lee, political-Lee, financial-Lee, natural-Lee

Internal-Lee, external-Lee, fraternal-Lee, eternal-Lee

The FFV, the first family

In the sovereign colony of Virginia

And may my wife refuse my bed if I can't deliver

As I said a resolution on independency

They say that God in heaven is everybody's God

I'll admit that God in heaven is everybody's God

But I tell you, John, with pride, God leans

A little on the side of the Lees, the Lees of old Virgina!

You see it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee

And everywhere-a-Lee-a-Lee

Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee

And everywhere-a-Lee

Look out! There's Arthur Lee, Bobby Lee

And General Lighthorse Harry Lee

Willy Lee, Jesse Lee

Franklin:

And Richard H.!

Lee:

That's me!

And may my blood start running blue if I can't deliver

Unto you a resolution on independency!

Yes sir, by God, it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee

Come on boys join in with me!

Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

Franklin:

When do you leave?

Lee:

Immediate-Lee!

Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

Franklin:

When will you return?

Lee:

Short-Lee!

Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

And I'll come back triumphant-Lee!

Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

Everywhere a-Lee-a-Lee

Forward ho!

Questions:

1. Vocabulary to Define: sovereign, internally, externally, fraternally,
2. What is Richard Henry Lee’s contribution to independence?
3. Using this song as evidence, why might the characters have specifically sought out Richard Henry Lee?
4. How does the music contribute to the mood of this song?
5. Characterize Richard Henry Lee. Give at least three characteristics with quotes from this song to support these characteristics.
6. Using this song and your knowledge of Social Studies, how important was Richard Henry Lee to independence?

Extra:

If you've finished looking at both videos, you may enjoy watching the scene of this song from the movie version of "1776"