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.
