History & Politics

The Banner of the Stars

by Rossiter Worthington Raymond 1840–1918

From American War Ballads and Lyrics (1889)

History & Politics

Hurrah! boys, hurrah! fling our banner to the breeze!
Let the enemies of freedom see its folds again unfurled.
And down with the pirates that scorn upon the seas
Our victorious Yankee banner, sign of Freedom to the World!

Chorus.--We'll never have a new flag, for ours is the true flag,
The true flag, the true flag, the Red, White, and Blue flag,
Hurrah! boys, hurrah! we will carry to the wars,
The old flag, the free flag, the Banner of the Stars.

And what tho' its white shall be crimsoned with our blood?
And what tho' its stripes shall be shredded in the storms?
To the torn flag, the worn flag, we'll keep our promise good,
And we'll bear the starry blue field, with gallant hearts and arms.

--Chorus.

Then, cursed be he who would strike our Starry Flag!
May the God of Hosts be with us, as we smite the traitor down!
And cursed be he who would hesitate or lag,
Till the dear flag, the fair flag, with Victory we crown.

--Chorus.

MLA

Raymond, Rossiter Worthington. “The Banner of the Stars.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/raymond_rw/0/.

Chicago

Raymond, Rossiter Worthington. “The Banner of the Stars.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/raymond_rw/0/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Rossiter Worthington Raymond