59. God save the flag of our native land.
by M. R. M.
Dedicated to the memory of my Father, who was in the war of 1812, the brave boy-cornet of the Bourbon cavalry, Kentucky. I.God save the flag of our native land-
The glorious banner of Stripes and Stars!
Crushed be the treacherous, craven hand,
That its hallowed and blended beauty mars!
Long hath it gallantly floated out,
Our ensign of freedom on sea and shore,
And the sovereign people, with loyal shout
Shall rally around it forevermore.
American freemen, hand to hand,
A bulkwark to guard it well, shall stand;
God save the flag of our native land.
II.
It gladdened the eyes of Washington,
John Hancock swore to defend it well;
At Yorktown, Bunker, and Bennington,
Heroes defending it, bravely fell.
Shot and sabre were nought to them,
Guarding our banner, bought with blood,
A scar for its sake was a diadem,
Coveted nobly by field and flood.
American freemen, hand to hand,
A bulwark to guard it well, shall stand;
God save the flag of our native land.
III.
Anderson guarded it through the fray,
With his gallant band, all staunch and true;
When a thousand years have passed away,
Sumter shall loom over the waters blue,
A monument true to the Stripes and Stars--
They are dear as the veins that warm the heart
Crushed be the craven hand that mars
Their beauty or tears the folds apart.
American freemen, hand to hand,
A bulwark to guard it well, shall stand;
God save the flag of our native land.
IV.
By the shot that struck it from Moultrie's height,
When Jasper restored its starry fold;
If we cease to guard it by freedom's might,
Let the hand be palsied, the tongue be cold!
By New Orleans, and her memories brave,
When Jackson to victory led the way,
As the countless leaves of the forest wave,
We will gather till triumph crowns the day.
American freemen, hand to hand,
A bulwark to guard it well, shall stand;
God save the flag of our native land.
V.
God save the flag of our native land,
From the pine-clad North to the palmy South,
The loyal people — the Union-band,
Shall repeat the promise from mouth to mouth.
By Valley Forge, with its memories deep,
Of the blood that crimsoned the midnight snow,
The flag of our country we swear to keep,
It shall never be lowered to greet the foe!
American freemen hand to hand,
A bulwark to guard it well, shall stand;
God save the flag of our native land!
Roseheath, Ky., June 21. 1861.
--Louisville Journal,
