A little patriotism is in order this morning. This could be called the "stars and bars" day as 240 years ago Congress passed a resolution for alternating red and white stripes poised with a "new constellation of starts - 13). About half that time later on this date, or thereabouts, in Willow Grove, PA (just on the NE side of Philadelphia) Sousa first performed this march in honor of old glory.It had lyrics as many of the marches do. You can sing along and its kinda fun.
The title "Stars and Stripes Forever" sticks in our minds as some sort of patriotic yearning for the flag and that, in part, is true. Sousa also had a good friend, another musician/composer named Gilmore (if memory serves) who used to end drinking toasts with "...and to the stars and stripes forever".
We like that. Give it a sing. It's easy.
Sousa's lyrics
[First Strain]
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
[Second Strain]
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
(repeats) Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
[Trio]
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
[Repeat of the First Strain]
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
[Grandioso]
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.