Classic Poem

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.