An ode to the red, white and blue

I've loved this country since the day I was born

And I've seen it all from shore to shore

And no other can beat her, not as a whole.

So when I went outside today to raise my flag,

I took a good look at just what I had

Rising up that old steel pole.

With 13 stripes of red and white

And 50 stars a shinin' bright

Laid against a field of cobalt blue.

She sagged a little as she climbed higher

Then the sun hit her right and she showed fire

Reminding me of all that she's been through.

She was tattered and torn and beat all to hell

When the first American army fell

And she was chased across New Jersey in the freezing cold

Then a man named George, he raised her high

And crossed a river in the dead of night

And sent the British packing - so I was told.

Well, by 1812 they just couldn't believe it

So they came back again, trying to seize it

But Old Glory she showed 'em just one more time.

Down in New-Orlin's where the Mis-i-sip ends

They tried and they tried, and they tried once again

But old Jackson he whooped 'em and he whooped 'em just fine.

Then brother fought brother and father fought son

And she bled bright red before we were done

But our country grew stronger than ever before.

Then she led the way at San Juan Hill

Flew stronger yet - never took a spill

As we battled our way through two world wars.

She flew proud and strong, in Korea and 'Nam

And she never lost a battle in those foreign lands

But she faded a little back here at home.

There was trouble and there was strife

Over our American way of life

And the whole world thought that she was done.

Then a fellow named Ronnie took hold of her lines

And raised her high for the umpteenth time

And won us a war without firing a shot.

And the biggest darn flag that I've ever seen

Flew over a hole where those towers had been

Just 'cause others don't like what we've got

Well, flags flew from cars, from chimneys and trees

They flew from ships and they strained in the breeze

And no one could doubt what was about to take place.

The enemy shakes, he runs and he hides

He tells women and children to commit suicide

But they don't have the guts to show their own face.

Now she won't give up until she is done

The war's only over - when we have won

And Congress can say whatever they want

This flag will keep flying, keep leading the way

And our soldiers will see her every day

'Cause this old lady leads from the front.

So here's what I say to all that will listen

She strong and she's bright, heck, she might even glisten

And she's gonna be here long after we're gone.

So whatever you do - don't ever forget

She's the grandest old lady that you've ever met

And she's the symbol for those who are strong.