I HAVE BEEN KICKED
TRAMPLED
BURNED
AND SHOT FULL OF HOLES
I HAVE FOUGHT BATTLES
BUT I PREFER THE UNTROUBLED
AIR OF A WORLD AT PEACE
I AM YOUR FLAG
I REPRESENT THE FREEDOM
OF HUMANITY
AND I SHALL FLY HIGH
THUNDERING IN SILENCE
FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO HEAR
MY GENTLE RUSTLING IN THE BREEZE
SOUNDS OUT THE WARNING TO ALL
WHO SHOULD BURY ME FOREVER
THAT BELOW STANDS A POPULATION
DEDICATED TO LIBERTY
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PERISHED
FOR MY RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF FLIGHT
FOR THOSE WHO WILL DIE
AND INDEED
FOR THOSE WHO WILL LIVE
I STAND AS A SYMBOL
OF FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE
AND HAVE BEEN CARRIED
INTO BATTLE IN FARAWAY LANDS
ALWAYS FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM
I AM BLOODSTAINED
TORN
AND MANY TIMES
WEARIED AND SADDENED
BY THE THOUSANDS WHO
HAVE PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
DO NOT LET IT ALL BE FOR NOTHING
TELL ME THE BRAVE HAVE ALL DIED
FOR A WORTHWHILE CAUSE
BE PROUD OF WHAT I REPRESENT
AND DISPLAY ME FOR ALL TO SEE
"OLD GLORY"
"STARS AND STRIPES"
OR "STAR-SPANGLED BANNER"
I SHALL FLY FOREVER
AS A SYMBOL OF YOUR FREEDOM
AS I DID FOR YOUR ANCESTORS
AND AS I SHALL
FOR YOUR HEIRS
I AM YOUR FLAG
AS PRINTED IN ANN LANDERS IN THE DAILY GAZETTE
IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
JUNE 14, 2000
SENT TO US BY THE ELKS LODGE
#2040 COBBLESKILL, NEW YORK
