Bold champion of a noble race,
Who never fear'd the pale man's face,
Or nation tried'st thou to disgrace,
Or name of Seminolé;
Who, for the rescue of thy wife,
Upraised the tomahawk and knife,
And led thy brethren to the strife,—
'Twas the brave Oceola!
Roused by the war-whoop's distant sound,
Scatter'd thou death and carnage round
Thine everglade, or sacred mound,
And lands of Seminolé.
But, ah! the fatal moment, when
Thou placed reliance on the men,
Who, under flag of truce, did then
Deceive thee, Oceola!
Fame will record it to the shame
Of those who plann'd, and those who came
To desecrate fair Freedom's name
By robbing Seminolé.
But thou, Floridan, art the boast
Through thy wild romantic coast,
While all thy brave unconquered host
Remember Oceola!