William Billings

William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800) was an American composer and is regarded as the first American choral composer and leading member of the First New England School.

Quotes

USMC Band playing "Chester"

• Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
     And Slav'ry clank her galling chains,
  We fear them not, we trust in God,
     New England's God forever reigns.
  • "Chester", st. 1, in The Singing Master's Assistant (1778)

External links

• Encyclopedic article on William Billings on Wikipedia