Beautifying the Flag

To us the Flag has little meant.

Each glorious stripe of red

Was woven there to represent

The blood of heroes dead.

On some dim, distant battle line

By other men were gained

The glories that have made it fine,

And idle we've remained.

But now the Flag shall finer grow

And ages yet to be

Shall find the courage that we show

To-day for liberty.

Of other men the Flag has told;

It flies for others’ deeds;

Its pride is born of heroes bold

Who served its by-gone needs.

But now our blood shall mingle there

With blood of patriots dead,

And through the years each stripe shall wear

A deeper, truer red.

The splendor of the flag shall gleam

In every radiant star,

And finer shall the banner seem

Because of what we are.

To-day new glory for the Flag

We give our best to build;

Of us shall future ages brag,

By us their blood be thrilled;

And as to us the flag has meant

The greatness of the past,

The Stars and Stripes shall represent

Our courage to the last.

The children in the years to be

Our trials shall discuss,

And cheer the emblem of the free,

In part, because of us.