The Song Of Old Glory

by Joseph Ignatius Constantine Clarke

Joseph Ignatius Constantine Clarke

I.
Shall we sing of grand Old Glory,
With its flowing stripes and stars?
Shall we tell its homely story,
Or its battle fame in wars?
Why we re here to chant in chorus,
Tis the best on land or sea,
And with friend or foe before us,
That our thunder song shall be:
Glory, Glory, grand Old Glory,
Light on the land, star on the sea,
Our darling and our splendor,
Every man its stout defender,
Flag of the free, Old Glory.
II.
Was it through the Revolution,
Bringing vict'ry everywhere?
W'r as it where the Constitution
Rattled down the Guerriere?
Why, our fathers sang the chorus;
Tis our song of jubilee,
And the mothers good who bore us
Sang it to us on their knee.
III.
Was it following the sunset
With the hardy pioneer?
Was it where the Indian onset
Met the settlers ringing cheer?
Why they fought and sang in chorus,
And they ploughed and sowed the lea;
They were brave the men before us,
And as brave too let us be.
IV.
Did it march with Grant and Sherman
When the Union rocked in pain?
Did it swell from Celt and German
As they shed their blood like rain?
Why, thro fire they sang the chorus,
Gallant boys from over sea,
And at ev'ry shot that tore us,
Raised the chant of Liberty.
V.
Does it go with clang of hammer?
Can it keep electric speed?
Is it mid the crash and clamor
Of the rushing iron steed?
Why, all labor hums the chorus;
For the lusty toilers see,
That the starry banner o'er us
Carries Freedom's wide decree.
VI.
Does it ring through school and college
As it rang through strife and fray?
Is it after song of knowledge?
Is it meet for time of play?
Why, our babies lisp the chorus:
As the sapling so the tree,
And our sweethearts fair implore us,
Ever true to it to be.
VII.
It shall be our chant forever,
On the land and on the foam:
It shall sanctify endeavor,
It shall glorify the home.
Why, our souls are in the chorus,
And our hearts beat time in glee
And as long as Heaven's o'er us,
Shall our land be great and free.





Last updated January 14, 2019