Ol' Glory
... thou wavest through the perilous fight
(Verse 1)
In the year of our Lord, eighteen fourteen so bold,
The British fleet sailed with their cannons of old.
They burned down the White House, set the Capitol aflame,
Then turned to Baltimore, to play their fierce game.
Fort McHenry stood strong 'gainst the rocket's red glare,
With Major Armistead and his brave soldiers there.
A flag sewn by Mary, so grand and so wide,
Thirty by forty-two, with stars side by side.
(Chorus)
Oh, Ol' Glory, thou wavest through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched in the dawn's early light.
Through bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night,
That our flag was still there, in victory's bright sight.
Hail to thee, Star-Spangled, banner so free,
Inspire our hearts with thy gallant decree!
(Verse 2)
Francis Scott Key, a lawyer of fame,
Boarded the flagship to free his friend's name.
Doctor Beanes was captured, but Key's plea prevailed,
Yet held on the ship as the battle unveiled.
Eight miles from the fort, 'neath the enemy's guard,
He witnessed the thunder, the shells falling hard.
Like brimstone from hell, the night sky did ignite,
And Key feared for the morn, in that terrible night.
(Chorus)
Oh, Ol' Glory, thou wavest through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched in the dawn's early light.
Through bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night,
That our flag was still there, in victory's bright sight.
Hail to thee, Star-Spangled, banner so free,
Inspire our hearts with thy gallant decree!
(Bridge)
Fifteen stars shining, fifteen stripes so true,
Cotton and wool from the hands pure and new.
The storm flag flew high through the rain and the roar,
Then garrison raised as the British withdrew.
From Armistead's kin to the Smithsonian's care,
Tattered and frayed, yet forever we stare.
A symbol of union, through war and through peace,
Ol' Glory endures, may her waving ne'er cease.
(Verse 3)
Key penned his fine words on the ship in the bay,
To a tune from old England, his anthem took way.
"Defense of Fort McHenry," the papers did cry,
Soon "Star-Spangled Banner" 'cross the land it did fly.
A century passed till 'twas named our own song,
But in hearts of the free, it had echoed so long.
From the fort to the halls where our history's told,
Ol' Glory reminds us of heroes of old.
(Chorus)
Oh, Ol' Glory, thou wavest through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched in the dawn's early light.
Through bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night,
That our flag was still there, in victory's bright sight.
Hail to thee, Star-Spangled, banner so free,
Inspire our hearts with thy gallant decree!
(Outro)
So raise up thy voices, ye sons of the brave,
For Ol' Glory forever, our land she shall save.
Inspired by an article in the Smithsonian Magazine
