(also see “By Love of George”)

by Granny Vee

THIS POEM RECOUNTS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING INCIDENT DURING THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR (1755) ABOUT WHICH GEORGE WASHINGTON HIMSELF WROTE.    MORE DETAILS MAY BE FOUND IN THE BOOK GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SACRED FIRE BY PETER A. LILLBACK. THIS INCIDENT IS ALSO FOUND IN THE BOOK, THE BULLETPROOF GEORGE WASHINGTON, BY DAVID BARTON.

THIS POEM MAY BE SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “YANKEE DOODLE” IN WHICH CASE, IT IS BEST TO PRONOUNCE INDIAN AS “IN-JUN”.

BULLETS THROUGH MY COAT

In seventeen and fifty-five

Against the Yanks and British,

The French* and Indians* took by surprise

Them in a tragic skirmish.

*

In Pennsylvania’s woods, they* hid

And then they opened fire

And struck most all, but George he lived

For it was God’s desire.

*(refrain, if sung)

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

George Washington, he wrote.

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

And that there is a true quote.

*

Now what did hold these bullets back

How could they not go through George?

Four holes were made and that’s a fact

Must be that God did save George!

*

“Mark yon tall and daring” man

The Indian chief did order

“Quick, let your aim be certain”

But each attempt was thwarted.

*

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

George Washington, he wrote.

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

And that there is a true quote.

*

Two horses shot while under George

Were hit with mean precision

But bullets fired meant for George

Were stopped by God’s decision.

*

How stands yet still this mortal man?

The Indian chief was awe-struck

“He cannot die” for there’s a plan

“Great Spirit” shields this young buck!

*

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

George Washington, he wrote.

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

And that there is a true quote.

 *

“I now exist”; there’s evidence

Wrote George unto his brother

“by the miraculous care of Providence”

It could be no one other!

*

Many moons, did come and go

The Indian Chief came calling

To visit George, to let him him know

Why he’d been spared from falling.

*

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

George Washington, he wrote.

“They shot 4 bullets through my coat”

And that there is a true quote.

 *

The wise old Indian understood

This George would lead a nation

His life was kept for mankind’s good

He’d father a great nation!

*(c) 4th of July, 2011 CAVenable*

 

Providence = a common term in colonial times for God and God’s will

Skirmish = irregular fighting

Thwarted = prevented from happening

Yanks = an informal term for Americans

Yon = poetic for yonder; “that one over there”

Young buck = colorful reference to a young male

Quote by George Washington –

“I now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence, that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had 4 Bullets through my Coat, and two horse shot under me, and yet escaped unhurt.”