For I follow the Stripes and Stars,
No matter for wounds or scars,
And I’ll act my part,
With my arm and heart,
In defense of the Stripes and Stars.
The truth is past denying,
That danger’s close at hand,
And I do love, all things above,
My own dear native land.
So where the conflict rages,
And where our foemen be,
To stand or fall, at Union’s call,
There is the place for me. [_Chorus._
May God bless those who love me,
And those I love defend;
If life I give, to those who live
My dear ones I commend.
But while the cannon’s booming,
And trumpets loudly blare,
The Union’s cause, the land and laws,
Must be my only care. [_Chorus._
28
Hark to the Tread.
Hark! hark! to the tread
Of men of olden time,
The footsteps of the mighty dead
Still sounding on sublime.
Our Union’s strong foundations
They planted broad and deep,
And we, among the nations,
Our own proud place will keep!