[372]The Proud Flag of Freedom.
The proud flag of freedom, unsullied, behold
How cluster about it the glories of years,
As skyward and westward, ’mid purple and gold,
In the land of the sunset, its home, it appears.
America’s token of faith never broken,
Sweet signal that flutters o’er mountain and sea;
That mutely repeats what our fathers have spoken,
That tells the oppressed they may come and be free!
O proud flag of freedom, how swells with delight
The breast of the wand’rer who meets thee afar;
What home-visions come with the gladdening sight,
And how fond dwells his eye on each stripe and each star!
Thus be it forever, while oceans may sever,
Or fate hold in exile, a man from our shore!
Tho’ fairer the clime, an American never
Forgets his own colors, but loves them the more.
Thou proud flag of freedom, so lovely in peace,
So awfully grand in the dread crash of war,
Be ever unfaded ’till nations shall cease,
While there’s room in the blue for another bright star:
From danger defending, still onward, ascending;
The hope of mankind and the envy of none:
E Pluribus Unum, our motto transcending,
Till earth’s constellations are blended in one!
- [372] By permission of J. C. Beckel, Esq., owner of the copyright.