By John A. Wilson

In reverent haste I hoist the spangled flag

And salute the symbol of our great land

With martial spirit that will never lag

‘Till the last drop of blood flows from my hand.

I calmly stand here ready to defend

This country and the way of life I love

On my brothers in arms I can depend

And I pray for some help from God above.

Where my country needs me there I will go

Here at home or on some distant shore

I will lose my life or vanquish my foe

And pray that I hear the last cannons roar

To my fate I go without a pause

Though even God himself desert my cause.

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