What does this phrase actually mean? Where is it from?

I hear it a lot in songs and on TV shows etc....

"One if by land, two if by sea"

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Mamapolo2016 · F

Lanterns. One hung high in the Old North Church if the British approached by land and two if by sea.

“And I on the opposite side shall be, ready to ride and spread the alarm to every Middlesex village and farm…”

And the rest, as they say, is history.