25 Paul Revere Quotes From the Famous Midnight Rider

By Stephanie Kirby | Published October 6, 2023

Every American should know about the importance of Paul Revere, and you can learn more about him in these Paul Revere quotes.

Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride at the start of the Revolutionary War when he warned about the approaching British forces with shouts of “The British Are Coming!”.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1735 and died in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1818 at the age of 83.

His impact on preparing the Americans for the invasion of the British was twofold.

First, he helped organize the intelligence and alarm system that would warn of the approach by the British.

Secondly, he made his famous ride to warn the colonial militia of the British invasion, which has been noted in many historical writings, films, and television shows.

Revere was a successful silversmith, but he knew the importance of an early warning system for the impending war with Britain, so he led the charge on that front and became a militia officer during the war.

Take a look at these Paul Revere quotes to learn more about the historical figure.

Best Paul Revere Quotes

Here are some of the greatest quotes from the famous silversmith.

1. “Noise!” — Paul Revere

2. “To arms, to arms!” — Paul Revere

3. “One if by land, two if by sea.” — Paul Revere

4. “The Regulars are coming out!” — Paul Revere

5. “If that isn’t in the red, it should be!” — Paul Revere

6. “The British are coming, the British are coming!” — Paul Revere

7. “There’s a time for casting silver; a time for casting cannon.” — Paul Revere

8. “You’ll have noise enough before long. The regulars are coming out!” — Paul Revere

9. “When we had got into the road, they formed a circle, and ordered the prisoners in the center, and to lead me in the front.” — Paul Revere

10. “In Medford, I awaked the Captain of the Minute Men; & after that, I alarmed almost every house, till I got to Lexington.” — Paul Revere

Paul Revere Quotes About The Midnight Ride

Enjoy these quotes from Paul Revere about the Midnight Ride that made him famous.

11. “He said to me, ‘We are now going towards your friends, and if you attempt to run, or we are insulted, we will blow your brains out.’” — Paul Revere

12. “He asked what time I left. I told him, he seemed surprised, said, ‘Sir, may I crave your name?’ I answered, ‘My name is Revere.’” — Paul Revere

13. “If the British march by land or sea from the town tonight, hang a lantern aloft in the Belfry Arch of the North Church tower as a signal light.” — Paul Revere

14. “Out started six officers. One of them, who appeared to have the command there, and much of a gentleman, asked me where I came from; I told him.” — Paul Revere

15. “I on the opposite shore will be ready to ride and spread the alarm through every Middlesex village and farm, for the country-folk to be up and to the arm.” — Paul Revere

16. “I knew what they were after; that I had alarmed the country all the way up, that their boats were caught aground, and I should have 500 men there soon.” — Paul Revere

17. “In the Fall of 1774 & Winter of 1775, I was one of upwards of thirty, chiefly mechanics, who formed ourselves into a committee for the purpose of watching the movements of the British soldiers.” — Paul Revere

Paul Revere Quotes From “Paul Revere’s Ride”

Check out these quotes about Paul Revere from the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.”

18. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

19. “Then he climbed to the tower of the church, up the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread, to the belfry-chamber overhead.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

20. “On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere. Now he patted his horse’s side, now gazed on the landscape far and near.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

21. “So through the night rode Paul Revere; and so through the night went his cry of alarm to every Middlesex village and farm.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

22. “On a shadowy something far away, where the river widens to meet the bay,— a line of black, that bends and floats on the rising tide, like a bridge of boats.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

23. “Just as the moon rose over the bay, where swinging wide at her moorings lay the Somerset, British man-of-war: a phantom ship, with each mast and spar.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

24. “He said to his friend, “If the British march by land or sea from the town to-night, hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

25. “Through all our history, to the last, in the hour of darkness and peril and need, the people will waken and listen to hear the hurrying hoof-beats of that steed and the midnight message of Paul Revere.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow