Sail some foreign sea, Tread some foreign land, Far from your America -- Then you'll understand. Homeward bound again, With the harbor nigh, You will see a banner fair Up against the sky. Just the stripes of white, Just the stripes of red, Just a square of starry blue Waving overhead; Humble it may be: It may be a rag Torn to tatters by the wind -- But it is the Flag! You who never thought, You who never saw, You who passed with careless tread, Heedless of the law, You will feel a thrill, Exaltation new, Looking on your standard there, Red and White and Blue. Safe within its folds Are the truly free, Held within its mighty arms All your liberty. With a mist of tears, With uncovered head, You will greet it evermore, Blue and white and red. Sail some foreign sea, Tread some foreign land, Far from your America -- Then you'll understand. Humble it may be: It may be a rag Torn to tatters by the wind -- But it is the Flag! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 28 by JAMES JOYCE SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: FLETCHER MCGEE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: LAMBERT HUTCHINS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SONATA IN PATHOS by CONRAD AIKEN THE WHITE PEACOCK by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET |