The flag that ripples on the breeze, With melting stripe and trembling star, No foeman's hand shall basely seize, Nor traitor's blade its beauty mar. Our lives in its defense we pledge With love that ever thrills and thrills, To guard it at the rampart's edge, And keep it waving on the hills. We hail it when the morning breaks, And cheer it through the azure day; The kindling hope its sight awakes Not even death shall snatch away. The starry field shall light the world, The lines run out to all mankind, That where the colors be unfurl'd. The brave and free may refuge find. Then ripple, ripple in the blue, Bright ensign of a sovereign race, High God with swelling hearts we sue To guard with us thy matchless place! The flag that ripples on the breeze, With melting stripe and trembling star, Shall yet invade a thousand seas To publish liberty afar. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FALLEN STAR by GEORGE DARLEY TO JANE: KEEN STARS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY PROTHALAMION by EDMUND SPENSER EUMARES by ASCLEPIADES OF SAMOS THE ELDER'S WARNING; A LAY OF THE CONVOCATION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE AUTHOR'S PARTING ADDRESS TO THE MUSE by BERNARD BARTON INVOCATION by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |