FullReads

AMERICAN FLAG SONG

1776

O dark the night and dim the day
When first our flag arose;
It fluttered bravely in the fray
To meet o’erwhelming foes.
Our fathers saw the splendor shine,
They dared and suffered all;
They won our freedom by the sign–
The holy sign, the radiant sign–
Of the stars that never fall.

Chorus

All hail to thee, Young Glory!
Among the flags of earth
We’ll ne’er forget the story
Of thy heroic birth.

1861

O wild the later storm that shook
The pillars of the State,
When brother against brother took
The final arms of fate.
But union lived and peace divine
Enfolded brothers all;
The flag floats o’er them with the sign–
The loyal sign, the equal sign–
Of the stars that never fall.

Chorus

All hail to thee, Old Glory!
Of thee our heart’s desire
Foretells a golden story,
For thou hast come through fire.

1917

O fiercer than all wars before
That raged on land or sea,
The Giant Robber’s world-wide war
For the things that shall not be!
Thy sister banners hold the line;
To thee, dear flag, they call;
And thou hast joined them with the sign–
The heavenly sign, the victor sign–
Of the stars that never fall.

Chorus

All hail to thee, New Glory!
We follow thee unfurled
To write the larger story
Of Freedom for the World.

September 4, 1918.