Personal and Political Ballads/I Will Not Fire Upon that Flag
"I WILL NOT FIRE UPON THAT FLAG."[1]
By A. Jones, U.S.A.
"I WILL not fire upon that flag," So glorious and so fair;I will not harm the hand that bears The immortal standard there.
"I will not fire upon that flag," The rainbow of the skiesHath given her glory all to thee, And bathed thee in her dyes.
"I will not fire upon that flag," Streaked with the morning light,While the vestal vault of Heaven Lends thee her orbs of night.
That flag! its glorious Stars and Stripes A father's blessing bear,And with the rustling of its folds, Is blent a mother's prayer.
Beneath the shadow of thy folds I long once more to turn,As wings the dove its homeward flight, Before the impending storm.
Bright vision of my youthful days, Banner of heavenly dyes,Thy radiant glories o'er me shed, And fix my dying eyes.
Heaven preserve that gallant flag, That banner of the free!Come weal or woe, what'll betide, "I will not fire on thee."
- ↑ A young soldier in Beauregard's army, named Picks, of Baltimore, was shot for declaring that he would not fire on the American flag.—Baltimore Clipper.