Come, up with _the plates_, lay them firm on the wall, Like the people at large, they're the ground-work of all; Examine them well, and see that they're sound, Let no rotten part in our building be found: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _A government firm, and our citizens free._
Now hand up the _girders_, lay each in its place, Between them the _joists_, must divide all the space; Like assemblymen _these_ should lie level along, Like _girders_, our senate prove loyal and strong: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _A government firm over citizens free._
The rafters now frame; your _king-posts_ and _braces_, And drive your pins home, to keep all in their places; Let wisdom and strength in the fabric combine, And your pins be all made of American pine: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _A government firm over citizens free._
Our _king-posts_ are _judges_: how upright they stand, Supporting the _braces_; the laws of the land: The laws of the land, which divide right from wrong, And strengthen the weak, by weak'ning the strong: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _Laws equal and just, for a people that's free._
Up! up with the _rafters_; each frame is a _state_: How nobly they rise! their span, too, how great! From the north to the south, o'er the whole they extend, And rest on the walls, whilst the walls they defend: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _Combine in strength, yet as citizens free._
Now enter the _purlins_, and drive your pins through; And see that your joints are drawn home and all true. The _purlins_ will bind all the rafters together: The strength of the whole shall defy wind and weather: _For our roof we will raise, and our song still shall be_ _United as states, but as citizens free._
Come, raise up the _turret_; our glory and pride; In the center it stands, o'er the whole to _preside_: The sons of Columbia shall view with delight Its pillars, and arches, and towering height: _Our roof is now rais'd, and our song still shall be,_ _A federal head o'er a people that's free._
Huzza! my brave boys, our work is complete; The world shall admire Columbia's fair seat; Its strength against tempest and time shall be proof, And thousands shall come to dwell under our roof: _Whilst we drain the deep bowl, our toast still shall be,_ _Our government firm, and our citizens free._