Stars And Stripes Poem by Mary Weston Fordham

Hail Flag of the Union! Hail Flag of the free!
That floateth so proudly o'er land and o'er sea
Thy Stars and thy Stripes, in grandeur doth wave
O'er hearts that are true and hands that are brave.

When first thy bright pennant was lifted on high,
When first 'twas unfolded to patriot's eye;
The ovation that greeted thee, rose through the air
Like incense from altars of hearts true and dear.

Hail Flag of our country, when thrown to the breeze
Thy power is acknowledged, far over the seas.
Thy influence so boundless, that none may deny,
Thy potency reaches all lands, 'neath the sky.

Should war like a dark cloud, encircle our land,
With its threat'ning besom o'ershadow the main.
With head lifted high, thou would'st laugh them to
scorn
Who from thy tall flagstaff would try to pull down.