I bare my head to banners
That others know and love,
But one I hold the fairest
That decks the blue above.
Whatever be their emblems,
Wherever they may be,
Stand, if you will, beneath them--
But the Stars and Stripes for me.
It stands for all I covet,
It leads in all I seek;
Its folds afford protection
And succor to the weak;
It stands for right and justice,
And peace and liberty.
To others you are welcome--
But the Stars and Stripes for me.
No flag shall wave above it
On any purpose bent,
Nor snatch its honor from it--
At least with my consent.
It speaks of proud traditions,
High hopes for years to be.
No other scheme or banner
But the Stars and Stripes for me.