Richard D. Preston

THE TATTERED FLAG

Faded Glory billows, tattered in the breeze
Shredded and torn in the land of the free
In the familiar neighborhoods of our hometown
It’s past time to take our beloved flag down

When the jagged edges ripple and snap in the air
When the flyers of Old Glory no longer care
And the colors have faded beyond their days
A darkness shames the pride of American way

Old Glory should fly brightly under our Sun
And reverence should abound for the victories won
For the Sons of our Nation put the red in the stripes
And monuments abound for these givers of rights

Lower the tattered Flag and put her to rest
She’s flown high and long and has done her best
Seeing her weathered and faded and hanging by strings
Should make the very souls of all Americans sting.

Raise the newborn colors, which bring all unity and hope
While the brightness forms unity and gives the will to cope
Pay tribute to the liberty our flag proudly preserves
God awaken us to give Old Glory the honor deserved.

Olympians carry the tattered American flag from the World Trade Center during the opening ceremonies
of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. - AP Photo