Sousa john philip the stars and stripes forever lyrics

Let martial note in triumph float

And liberty extend its mighty hand;

A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,

The banner of the Western land.

The emblem of the brave and true.

Its folds protect no tyrant crew;

The red and white and starry blue

Is freedom's shield and home.

Other nations may deem their flags the best

And cheer them with fervid elation

But the flag of the North and South and West

Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free!

May it wave as our standard forever,

The gem of the land and the sea,

The banner of the right.

Let despots remember the day

When our fathers with mighty endeavor

Proclaimed as they marched to the fray

That by their might and by their right

It waves forever