Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag I walked through a county courthouse square And that’s a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town".
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don’t like to brag, but we’re kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag
"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag
"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She’s been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she standsHas been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearin' thin,
But she’s in good shape, for the shape she’s in.
Cause she’s been through the fire before
and i believe she can take a whole lot more.
"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don’t let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I *do* like to brag
Cause I’m mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"
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I remember going to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland shortly after Johnny Cash had died. There was a tribute to him in the main lobby area with pictures, posters and some memorabilia...with flowers and other items placed around by visitors paying their respect. Johnny Cash is one of the recognized in the Hall of Fame, although he isn't quickly associated with Rock & Roll, but he was such an influence on other artists and was so well respected and appreciated. Because of this, in the area where visitors can put on headphones and listen to music from various artists who are recognized for their influences, there was a Johnny Cash station that one could stand at to listen. This is one of the songs included on the tape because of the impact it had made. Many say, and I agree, that Cash had the right voice and rhythm for speaking that was perfect for this type of piece.
We must remind the young what patriotism is all about and the heavy heavy price paid for them to be free to speak their minds. God Bless American and lets never forget those that made this happen.
The Grouch has SPOKEN!