English poem
Henry H. Bennett
by William H. Elson (1856–1935)
Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky. Hats off! The flag is passing by!
Blue and crimson and white it shines, Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines. Hats off! The colors before us fly; But more than the flag is passing by.
Sea fights and land fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State; Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips;
Days of plenty and years of peace; March of a strong land’s swift increase; Equal justice, right and law, Stately honor and reverend awe;
Sign of a nation, great and strong To ward her people from foreign wrong; Pride and glory and honor—all Live in the colors to stand or fall.
Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums; And loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off! The flag is passing by!