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.