Schoolhouse Rock!

"The Shot Heard Round The World"

Original Air Date

October 18, 1975

This song teaches about the American Revolution. This song was voted #10 on the 30th Anniversary DVD Top 25.

Lyrics to "The Shot Heard Round The World"

"The British are coming! The British are coming!"

Now, the ride of Paul Revere

Set the nation on its ear

And the shot at Lexington heard 'round the world

When the British fired in the early dawn

The War of Independence had begun

The die was cast, the rebel flag unfurled

And on to Concord marched the foe

To seize the arsenal there you know

Waking folks searching all around

Until our militia stopped them in their tracks

At the old North Bridge we turned them back

And chased those Redcoats back to Boston town

And the shot heard 'round the world

Was the start of the Revolution

The Minutemen were ready, on the move

Take your powder, and take your gun

Report to General Washington

Hurry men, there's not an hour to lose!

Now, at famous Bunker Hill

Even though we lost, it was quite a thrill

The rebel Colonel Prescott proved he was wise

Outnumbered and low on ammunition

As the British stormed his position

He said, "Hold your fire until you see the whites of their eyes!"

Though the next few years were rough

General Washington's men proved they were tough

Those hungry, ragged boys would not be beat

One night they crossed the Delaware

Surprised the Hessians in their lair

And at Valley Forge they just bundled up their feet!

And the shot heard 'round the world

Was the start of the Revolution

The Minutemen were ready, on the move

Take your blanket, and take your son

Report to General Washington

We've got our rights and now it's time to prove

Well, they showed such determination

That they won the admiration

Of countries across the sea like France and Spain

Who loaned the colonies ships and guns

And put the British on the run

And the Continental Army on its feet again

And though they lost some battles too

The Americans swore they'd see it through

Their raiding parties kept up, hit and run

At Yorktown the British could not retreat

Bottled up by Washington and the French Fleet

Cornwallis surrendered and finally we had won!

The winner!

Hurray!

From the shot heard 'round the world

To the end of the Revolution

The continental rabble took the day

And the father of our country

Beat the British there at Yorktown

And brought freedom to you and me and the U.S.A.!

God bless America, let freedom ring!