Our flag to-day waves on the breeze,
Countless as boughs on the forest trees;
O'er prairies rich with golden grain,
O'er steam and sail, o'er peaceful main,
O'er cities fair with happy throng,
O'er cannon with their thunder song;
It waves on high o'er school and home
As proundly as o'er stately dome.

About its folds doth glory cling
Like blossoms on the beats of spring;
Its tints, born of the jeweled morn,
When Day treads in the steps of Dawn,
Were woven there by patriot hand
Where cries for freedom rent the land;
They bathed its stripes in blood and tears
And rose triumphant o'er their fears.

See! all its stars are priceless gems,
The brightest in time's diadems;
And as the fleeting years go by
It borrows others from the sky
To set them in its field of blue—
Blest union of the brave and true;
And ne'er shall one bright star go down
While Valor doth brave Justice crown.

It fires the heart of youth and age
With spirit of a deathless page;
It breaks Oppression's iron rod,
Bid's all the world have faith in God.
List to its clear prophetic voice:
Dear Freedom is the people's choice.
O Flag! Hope of the waiting world!
Wave till Time hath all banners furled.