Our Flag.That flag of the brave and the free; E'en though for its safety I perish, My blood will its sacrifice be. Spake a soldier: his heart o'erflowing With admiration and love for its pride; The flush of manhood brightly glowing, While his idol he proudly eyed. Oh, the glory of that waving parcel, The sunlight of heaven's reflected array; The zephyrs of ocean your folds kindly fondle, Photos of aerial beauty your colors portray. Yes, I glory in its chivalric beauty, A chivalry that never will lag; And, in submission to chivalric duty Permit me, oh God! to carry our flag. With war's dark clouds o'ershadowed, Our spirits though destined to wag; In reflection of honor yet remembered Permit me, oh God! to mention our flag. When peace, its broad wings of prosperity, Shall from ocean to ocean its lusts en-tag; Then, as in the days of our minority, Permit me, oh God! to reverence our flag. When harmony, the veil of hostility, Shall lift from our view its vices zig-zag; There, in the peace and joy of tranquility, Permit me, oh God! to insert our flag. __James Wilkinson. |
Hours in Dreamland
James Wilkinson
(Buffalo: The Peter Paul Book Company. 1896)
Pages 71-72
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