No matter where we go, or when, No matter where we go, Our starry flag in grandeur proud, To us the way will show. On foreign shores, afar from home, We'll carry it on high, And let the foeman know its might-- To honor it or die.
Beneath our country's flag today, We stand a children's band, And to it now in loyalty We pledge each heart and hand. We love its colors as they wave Beneath these summer skies, The flag our fathers fought to save Is sacred in our eyes.
Our country's flag, the dear old flag, To it, ev'ry heart beats true! We will follow far each gleaming star, Our own red, white and blue.
'Neath each clust'ring fold, as in days of old, It will gather those oppressed, And secure from harm and from all alarm, It will bid them safely rest. To its slightest call, we will rally all; Ev'ry pledge it makes to keep; And it leads us forth over lands afar, O'er the ocean's blue so deep.
What shall I say to you, Old Flag? You are so grand in every fold, So linked with mighty deeds of old, So steeped in blood where heroes fell, So torn and pierced by shot and shell, So calm, so still, so firm, so true, My throat swells at the sight of you, Old Flag.
What of the men who lifted you, Old Flag, Upon the top of Bunker Hill? '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, Who, all the night long, knelt to pray, 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 people 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!
There's a streak across the skyline That is gleaming in the sun, Watchers from the lighthouse towers Signalled it to foreign Powers Just as daylight had begun, Message thrilling, Hopes fulfilling To those fighting o'er the seas. "It's the flag we've named Old Glory That's unfurling to the breeze."