Alonzo Lewis (1794–1861)

THE FLAG of Freedom floats in pride

Above the hills our fathers saved;

It floats, as in the battle tide,

Above the brave and good it waved.

It wakes the thought of other days,

When they, who sleep beneath its shade,

Stood foremost in the battle blaze,

And bared for us the patriot blade.

High o’er its stars our spirits leap

To gratulate their deathless fame,

With them the jubilee to keep,

And hail our country’s honour’d name.

Above the plains, above the rocks,

Above our father’s honour’d graves,

Free from a thousand battle-shocks,

Our striped and starry banner waves.

What was the price which bade it ride

Above our loved and native plains?

And are there men would curb its pride,

And bind our eagle fast in chains?

Spirit of Washington, awake!

And watch o’er Freedom’s chartered land;

The battle peal again may break,

Again in arms thy children stand!