:: Patriotism
The Flag of The United States
| National Anthem O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star-spangled banner- O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - "In God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Francis Scott Key wrote "The Defense of Fort McHenry" in 1814. The title was soon changed to "The Star Spangled Banner" and Congress designated it our national anthem in 1931. |
Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands One Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Written by Francis Bellamy, for students to repeat on Columbus Day 1892...the beginning of a required school day ritual. On June 14, 1923...for clarity..."the Flag of the United States" replaced "my flag". In 1942, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and in 1943, the Supreme Court ruled children could not be forced to recite it. In 1954, an amendment was made to add "under God". I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands One Nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. |
| America by Samuel F. Smith My country, 'tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring. My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and hills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet Freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by thy might Great God, our King. Our glorious Land to-day, "Neath Education's sway, Soars upward still. Its hills of learning fair, Whose bounties all may share, Behold them everywhere On vale and hill! Thy safeguard, Liberty, The school shall ever be, Our Nation's pride! No tyrant hand shall smite, While with encircling might All here are taught the Right With Truth allied. Beneath Heaven's gracious will The stars of progress still Our course do sway; In unity sublime To broader heights we climb, Triumphant over Time, God speeds our way! Grand birthright of our sires, Our altars and our fires Keep we still pure! Our starry flag unfurled, The hope of all the world, In peace and light impearled, God hold secure! |
America, The Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain. America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea. O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassion'd stress A thoroughfare for freedom beauty Across the wilderness. America! America! God men thine ev'ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law. O beautiful for heroes prov'd In liberating strife, Who more thatn self their country loved, And mercy more that life. America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness, And ev'ry grain divine. O Beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years. Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears. America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea. God Bless America by Irving Berlin While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God Bless America. Land that I love Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God Bless America My home sweet home. |
