LISTEN, my children, and you shall hear
‘Bout the other guys not named Revere.
On Eighteenth April, Seventy-Five
These other two were yet alive
And rode too on that day and year.
And though today we hardly pause
To recreate forgotten fame
Their heroism was yet the same
With long-lost names of Prescott and Dawes.

While the Silversmith was talking lights
(One or two to hang in the night?)
The Tanner had already departed
And stole through town, courage-hearted.
The inner shore, more dangerous way
Through Boston Neck, past dock and quay
He passed the sentries left and right
Onwards, onwards, through the night.

Out he passed in quite a hurry
The narrow strip onto Roxbury.
Through Brookline, Brighton and Cambridge town
To hinterlands of Boston bound.
(Revere, meanwhile, was madly rowing
Across Mill Pond, the short route going.)
Unlike his partner, who rode all noisy
He kept quiet as a milking Joisey.
Without a sound, without a pause
Riding for a worthy cause
The Tanner’s name was William Dawes.

Half past midnight struck the chime
When Dawes arrived in Lexington
To find the other there in time
And resting, first achievement done.
First word given, first word spread
To arms, to arms, the townsfolk said
While Dawes and Revere broke their bread.

Their second leg was yet ahead
So, forgoing the featherbed
The Smith and Tanner mounted horse
And began the next, more wooded course.
They came upon a third man then
Roughly dressed, no tie or ascot
A Doctor, riding field and fen
The youngster’s name was Samuel Prescott.
Safety in numbers? Aye! Join forces!!
Dug they heels into their horses.
Off to Concord, to raise alarms
Across the Puritan colony
Houses, churches, and family farms
To help create a country free.

Rode they into danger then!
Alas, a group of British men!!
Redcoats!!! Who all drew near
And captured luckless Smith Revere.
Took his horse, yeah, held him tight
That was all for Paul that night.
But William Dawes he played it bolder
Threw his voice, fooled the soldiers.
He jumped from horse and got all gimpy
And walked from history sore and limpy.

Which left alone young patriot Sam
Onward, Concord-way to scram.
The famous poem lacks the depiction
But Doctor Prescott had the prescription:
Raise the men within a minute
Grab your gun, put powder in it.
Parliament has tax-addiction!
Ready to create affliction!!
Fire at any red conscription!!!
Give King George a royal conniption!!!!

We all know what happened then:
The British, 700 men
April ’75, Day 19
Arriving on the fateful Green
And saw a site ‘til then unseen:
Americans! Armed for battle!
Not acting like frightened cattle
Peppered blasts from their Brown Bessies
Left some royal coats all messy.
Serious shite, this stuff, no fun
A Revolution had just begun!

Hardly any now remembers
The courage of these other members.
No rhymes for them from old Longfellow
Though they never wore Judas’ yellow.
No essays penned by thankful students
Neither diligent nor impudent.
No toasts to make o’er ale by Adams
Forgotten from Stockbridge to Chatham.
No stones for them in Old Granary
Proofs of resting places vary
Names unknown, fame forgotten
Sometimes fate can be so rotten.

And so on 250 austere
Thank the two not named Revere.
One rode the most dangerous way
And did his part to save the day.
The other ‘scaped upon his steed
And made it, to complete the deed.

Memory should serve their ration
Of national appreciation.
While Brits still may have indignation
Americans, please, some adulation!
For unfound fathers of our nation
All rise! All rise! With Boston blooming
Hear the guns and cannon booming!!
Add your voice to the ovation!!!
Join the Revolution looming!!!!

On this day, please give applause
For two heroes of Yankee cause:
Sneaky Tanner and Doctor Less-Caught
William Dawes and Samuel Prescott.