Lyrics of The Fall of Benedict Arnold by HistoryMusicNerd
In the whisper of the leaves at Fort Ticonderoga’s gate,
Benedict Arnold stood, his heart both bold and irate.
Valcour Island’s echoes, where he fought with ragged sails
Against the British fleet, through cannon smoke and hails.
Hear the story of a man,
Who turned from honor to a plan
That was uncovered and he ran.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
From a hero of a nation, to a traitor and spie.
At Saratoga’s fields, your valor shone so bright,
But then shifted to the darkness like a starless night.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
You once were so respected and stood so high!
Philadelphia’s comforts led you astray,
Peggy Shippen whispered, turning night into day.
Secret letters sent, to John André’s waiting hands,
West Point’s mighty fort, you promised to their bands.
Hear the story of a man,
Who turned from honor to a plan
That was uncovered and he ran.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
From a hero of a nation, to a traitor and spie.
At Saratoga’s fields, your valor shone so bright,
But then shifted to the darkness like a starless night.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
You once were so respected and stood so high!
The Plan to give the West Point fortress to the British foe,
Was uncovered as your letters to the Redcoats would show.
Fled to British lines, a uniform of red you wore,
America’s scorned son, a patriot no more.
Hear the story of a man,
Who turned from honor to a plan
That was uncovered and he ran.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
From a hero of a nation, to a traitor and spie.
At Saratoga’s fields, your valor shone so bright,
But then shifted to the darkness like a starless night.
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
You once were so respected and stood so high!
Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?
You once were so respected and stood so high!
Historical Background
In short: The song is about General Benedict Arnold, who betrayed the US during the American Revolution!
The Fall of Benedict Arnold – From Hero to Traitor
Some men rise through honor. Others fall through betrayal.
The Fall of Benedict Arnold isn’t just about a soldier—it’s about the most infamous traitor in American history. Benedict Arnold was once one of the greatest heroes of the Revolution, a man who bled for America at Saratoga. But greed, pride, and resentment turned him against the cause he once fought for. The Treason of Benedict Arnold (1780) wasn’t just a betrayal—it was a moment that nearly destroyed the Revolution.
This is how a hero became a villain.
Arnold the Patriot – A War Hero’s Rise
“In the whisper of the leaves at Fort Ticonderoga’s gate, Benedict Arnold stood, his heart both bold and irate.”
Benedict Arnold wasn’t always a traitor. In the early years of the Revolution, he was one of Washington’s finest generals:
- Captured Fort Ticonderoga (1775) — America’s first major victory.
- Led a daring retreat at Valcour Island (1776) — slowing the British advance on Lake Champlain.
- Fought at the Battle of Saratoga (1777) — where he rallied the troops, broke the British lines, and won the battle.
“At Saratoga’s fields, your valor shone so bright.”
Without Arnold, the Battle of Saratoga may have been lost—and with it, the Revolution itself.
The Seeds of Betrayal – Resentment & Greed
“Philadelphia’s comforts led you astray, Peggy Shippen whispered, turning night into day.”
After Saratoga, Arnold expected glory and recognition. Instead:
- Congress overlooked him, giving credit to others.
- He was accused of corruption in Philadelphia.
- He was wounded in battle, left bitter and angry.
Then came Peggy Shippen, a wealthy Loyalist woman who introduced Arnold to British spies. She fueled his resentment, convincing him that America didn’t deserve him.
“Secret letters sent, to John André’s waiting hands, West Point’s mighty fort, you promised to their bands.”
Arnold made a fateful decision—to sell the fortress of West Point to the British in exchange for £20,000 and a high-ranking position in the British army.
Benedict Arnold had chosen treason.
The Betrayal Uncovered – The Escape to Infamy
“The plan to give the West Point fortress to the British foe, was uncovered as your letters to the Redcoats would show.”
Arnold’s treachery was nearly successful—but his British contact, Major John André, was captured. The secret letters detailing the plan were found, and Washington realized the horrifying truth.
Arnold escaped just in time, fleeing to the British lines before he could be arrested.
“Fled to British lines, a uniform of red you wore, America’s scorned son, a patriot no more.”
Why The Fall of Benedict Arnold Still Matters
“Oh, Arnold, in the shadows, where does your loyalty lie?”
Benedict Arnold’s treason shook the Revolution to its core.
- He had been one of America’s greatest generals—now he was its greatest traitor.
- His name became synonymous with betrayal.
- Even the British distrusted him—he never received the respect he craved.
Arnold died in exile in London, forgotten, unloved, and haunted by the words:
“Let me die in my old American uniform—the one in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever putting on another.”
“You once were so respected and stood so high!”
The Lesson?
A hero is remembered for his deeds.
A traitor is remembered for his name.
And in America, one name still echoes in infamy — Benedict Arnold.
