 | English Roses |  |
SONG OF THE FLAG.
Heads all uncover,
Gentlemen, stand;
Peasant or peer, but yet loyal and lover
Of the old land!
Bow to the Country and bow to the Queen,
Bow to the symbol of all that has been
Lovely and living,
And is yet giving
Peace to the world with its terrible sheen.
Lo, it is waving on coast and on crag
Far, and the might of its shadow is light—
Honour the Flag.
Gentlemen, stand;
150
Of the old land!
Bow to the Country and bow to the Queen,
Bow to the symbol of all that has been
Lovely and living,
And is yet giving
Peace to the world with its terrible sheen.
Lo, it is waving on coast and on crag
Far, and the might of its shadow is light—
Honour the Flag.
Hands all uplifted,
Gentlemen, swear
Still the old Colours though storm-tossed and rifted
Bravely to bear!
Rampart the Church and the State as ye must
Strongly and truly, remember the trust
Carried down ages'
Beautiful stages,
Handed to you to keep sacred from rust.
Courage may falter and confidence lag,
But should the price be supreme sacrifice
Honour the Flag.
Gentlemen, swear
Still the old Colours though storm-tossed and rifted
Bravely to bear!
Rampart the Church and the State as ye must
Strongly and truly, remember the trust
Carried down ages'
Beautiful stages,
Handed to you to keep sacred from rust.
Courage may falter and confidence lag,
But should the price be supreme sacrifice
Honour the Flag.
Hearts all united,
Gentlemen, weld
Spirit and act in one troth ever-plighted,
Purposed of eld!
Rally around the one beacon of fires
Kindled long back at the fountain of sires'
Valorous doings,
Virtuous wooings
Robed in the thunder and God-like desires.
Onward it goes, sometimes rent to a rag,
Emblem of Right if through bloodshed and might—
Honour the Flag.
Gentlemen, weld
Spirit and act in one troth ever-plighted,
Purposed of eld!
Rally around the one beacon of fires
Kindled long back at the fountain of sires'
Valorous doings,
Virtuous wooings
Robed in the thunder and God-like desires.
Onward it goes, sometimes rent to a rag,
Emblem of Right if through bloodshed and might—
Honour the Flag.
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