Patriotic pieces from the Great War/The Belgian Flag

THE BELGIAN FLAG

Red for the blood of soldiers,
Black, yellow and red—
Black for the tears of mothers,
Black, yellow and red—
And yellow for the light and flame
Of the fields where the blood is shed!

To the glorious flag, my children,
Hark! the call your country gives,
To the flag in serried order!
He who dies for Belgium lives!

Red for the purple of heroes,
Black, yellow and red—
Black for the veils of widows
Black, yellow and red—
And yellow for the shining crown
Of the victors who have bled!

To the flag, the flag, my children,
Hearken to your country's cry!
Never has it shone so splendid,
Never has it flown so high!

Red for the flames in fury,
Black, yellow and red—
Black for the mourning ashes,
Black, yellow and red—
And yellow of gold, as we proudly hail
The spirits of the dead!

To the flag, my sons! Your country
With her blessing "Forward" cries!
Has it shrunken? No, when smallest,
Larger, statelier, it flies!
Is it tattered? No, 'tis stoutest
When destruction it defies!

—From the French of E. Cammaerts