Johnny Cash- Ragged Old Flag (video)

I took the opportunity to this in case people would like to save the lyrics and read them on occasion of Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veteran's Day and on any day the mood strikes.

Ragged Old Flag Lyrics from The Essential Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square On a park bench an old man was sitting there I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down" He said, "No, it'll do for our little town" I said, "Your old flagpole has leaned a little bit And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it" He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down "Is this the first time you've been to our little town?" I said, "I think it is" He said, "I don't like to brag But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag

You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it, writing 'Say Can You See' And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun She turned blood red in World War II She hung limp and low by the time it was through

She was in Korea and Vietnam She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam She waved from our ships upon the briny foam And now they've about quit waving her back here at home In her own good land here she's been abused She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused

And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land And she's getting threadbare and she's wearing thin But she's in good shape for the shape she's in 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more

So we raise her up every morning, we take her down every night We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right On second thought, I do like to brag 'Cause I'm mighty proud of the Ragged Old Flag

Transcript for link:

Some people call me Old Glory. Others call me the Star Spangled Banner. But whatever they call me, I am your Flag: the flag of the United States Of America. Something's been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you, because it is about you, and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade. Naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming he immediately removed his hat, and placed it over his left shoulder so that the hand was directly over his heart. Remember?

And you: I remember you standing there too, straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you, with her right hand over her heart. Remember?

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam. Take a look at the Memorial Honor Roll sometimes, of those who never came back, to keep this republic free, one nation under God. When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. But now, I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. I may get a small glance, and then you look away. Then I see the children running around, and shouting. They don't seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat off and then look around. He didn't see anybody else with his hat off, so he quickly put his back on. Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart, and I'll salute you by waving back, and I'll know that you remembered.

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