What need hath he now of a tardy crown, His name from mocking jest and sneer to save? When every ploughman turns his furrow down As soft as though it fell upon his grave.
He was a man whose like the world again Shall never see, to vex with blame or praise; The landmarks that attest his bright, brief reign Are battles, not the pomps of gala days!
The grandest leader of the grandest war That ever time in history gave a place; What were the tinsel flattery of a star To such a breast! or what a ribbon's grace!
'Tis to th' _man_, and th' man's honest worth, The nation's loyalty in tears upsprings; Through him the soil of labor shines henceforth High o'er the silken broideries of kings.
The mechanism of external forms-- The shrifts that courtiers put their bodies through, Were alien ways to him--his brawny arms Had other work than posturing to do!
Born of the people, well he knew to grasp The wants and wishes of the weak and small; Therefore we hold him with no shadowy clasp-- Therefore his name is household to us all.
Therefore we love him with a love apart From any fawning love of pedigree-- His was the royal soul and mind and heart-- Not the poor outward shows of royalty.
Forgive us then, O friends, if we are slow To meet your recognition of his worth-- We're jealous of the very tears that flow From eyes that never loved a humble hearth.
Your Flag and my Flag, And how it flies today In your land and my land And half the world away! Rose-red and blood-red The stripes forever gleam; Snow-white and soul-white-- The good forefather's dream; Sky-blue and true-blue, with stars to gleam aright-- The gloried guidon of the day; a shelter through the night.
Your Flag and my Flag! And, oh, how much it holds-- Your land and my land-- Secure within its folds! Your heart and my heart Beat quicker at the sight; Sun-kissed and wind-tossed, Red and blue and white. The one Flag--the great Flag--the Flag for me and you-- Glorified all else beside--the red and white and blue!
Your Flag and my Flag! To every star and stripe The drums beat as hearts beat And fifers shrilly pipe! Your Flag and my Flag-- A blessing in the sky; Your hope and my hope-- It never hid a lie! Home land and far land and half the world around, Old Glory hears our glad salute and ripples to the sound!