Old Flag

What shall I say to you, Old Flag?

You are so grand in every fold,

So linked with mighty deed of old,

So steeped in blood where heroes fell,

So torn and pierced by shot and shell,

My throat swells at the sight of you.

Old Flag.

What of the men who lifted you, Old Flag,

Upon the top of Bunker's Hill,

Who crushed the Briton's cruel will,

'Mid shock and roar and crash and scream,

Who crossed the Delaware's frozen stream,

Who starved, who fought, who bled, who died,

That you might float in glorious pride.

Old Flag?

What of the women brave and true, Old Flag,

Who, while the cannon thundered wild,

Sent forth a husband, lover, child,

Who labored in the field by day,

And thought that God great mercy gave,

If only freely you might wave,

Old Flag?

What is your mission now, Old Flag?

What but to set all peoples free,

To rid the world of misery,

To guard the right, avenge the wrong,

And gather in one joyful throng

Beneath your folds in close embrace

All burdened ones of every race,

Old Flag.

Right nobly do you lead the way, Old Flag,

Your stars shine out for liberty,

Your white stripes stand for purity,

Your crimson claims that courage high

For Honor's sake to fight and die.

Lead on against the alien shore!

We'll follow you e'en to Death's door,

Old Flag!

"Old Flag"

Hubbard Parker