September 11, 2001
O Lord,
our heavenly Father,
the high
and mighty Ruler of the universe,
who dost
from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth;
Most
heartily we beseech thee,
with thy
favor to behold and bless thy servants,
The
President of the United States of America,
the
Governor of this State,
and all
others in authority;
and so
replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit,
that they
may always incline to thy will,
and walk
in thy way.
Endue them
plenteously with heavenly gifts;
grant them
in health and prosperity long to live;
and
finally, after this life,
to attain
everlasting joy and felicity;
through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From The Book of Common Prayer
of the
Reformed Episcopal Church of America, © 1932
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a
little higher,
my colors a
little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and
Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of
France, in the Argonne Forest,
Anzio, Rome and
the beaches of Normandy.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan,
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan,
Saigon, Vietnam
know me,
I was there.
I led my troops, I was dirty,
I led my troops, I was dirty,
battle worn and
tired,
but my soldiers
cheered me.
I was proud.
I have been burned,
I was proud.
I have been burned,
torn and
trampled on the
streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and
trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those
streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and
trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those
whom I've
served inbattle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood over
the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage
point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
I have borne silent witness
to all of
America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
when I am flown
at half-mast to honor my soldier,
or when I lie in
the trembling arms of a grieving
parent at the grave
parent at the grave
of their fallen
son or daughter,
I am
proud.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
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