Oliver Wendell Holmes

God Save the Flag

WASHED in the blood of the brave and the blooming,
    Snatched from the altars of insolent foes, 
Burning with star-fires, but never consuming,
    Flash its broad ribbons of lily and rose.

Vainly the prophets of Baal would rend it,
    Vainly his worshippers pray for its fall; 
Thousands have died for it, millions defend it,
    Emblem of justice and mercy to all;

Justice that reddens the sky with her terrors,
    Mercy that comes with her white-handed train, 
Soothing all passions, redeeming all errors,
    Sheathing the sabre and breaking the chain.

Borne on the deluge of all usurpations,
    Drifted our Ark o'er the desolate seas, 
Bearing the rainbow of hope to the nations,
    Torn from the storm-cloud and flung to the breeze!

God bless the Flag and its loyal defenders,
    While its broad folds o'er the battle-field wave, 
Till the dim star-wreath rekindle its splendors,
    Washed from its stains in the blood of the brave!