Happy Birthday America! The Flag Is Passing By

Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color in the sky:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

Image courtesy/Pinterest

Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines:

Hat's off!

The colors before us fly

But more than the flag is passing by

Sea-fights and land-fights,

Grim and great,

Fought to make

And save the State:

Weary marches

And sinking ships,

Cheers of victory

On dying lips;

Days of plenty

And years of peace;

March of a strong land's

Swift increase;

Equal justice,

Right and law,

Stately honor

And reverent awe.

Sign of a nation

Great and strong

Toward her people

From foreign wrong;

Pride and glory

And honor-all

Live in the colors

To stand or fall.

Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by! 

"The Flag Is Passing By"
(1898)
Henry Holcomb Bennett
(1863-1924)
American author, journalist, and poet

Have a beautiful and blessed 4th of July!