Happy Holidays - Korean War Veterans Association

There are words to ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’
By “Peppy” Marcher©
Almost any veteran who has marched in a military ceremony or
parade is familiar with John Philip Sousa’s well-known march,
“Stars and Stripes Forever.” Troops cannot help but stay in step
and march energetically as they react to Sousa’s lively music.
But, how many of us are aware that there are lyrics to the
march?
First, a bit of history about the march. Sousa wrote it—and the
words—as the finale to a patriotic pageant in 1898. History buffs
will recognize that as the year of the Spanish-American War,
which was one of the shortest, and most profitable, wars the
U.S. ever fought. The country directly and indirectly gained a
great deal of territory from that war, including Puerto Rico,
Hawaii, and the Philippines. That was enough to write a song or
two about. No wonder Sousa was singing—but the troops were
not.
Conspiracy theorists might suggest that colonels and generals
have long known that Sousa wrote the words to complement the
music, but withheld that information from the troops. They simply
did not want them to break out into song as they paraded by
the reviewing stand. That would detract from the image of
Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air Forceers, and Coast Guarders as
formidable fighting forces. What would be next, carrying umbrellas
into combat during a rain storm?
Hey, next time you march in a parade, and you are approaching
the reviewing stand—or just marching by the people enjoying the
parade—start singing the words. Don’t know them? Here they
are:
“Stars and Stripes Forever”
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears ‘mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom’s shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Just don’t let the “brass” hear you singing. It might dispel the
conspiracy that they have controlled so tightly ever since Sousa
set words to music, and turn the troops into troubadors. After all,
there is nothing martial-like about troops singing. Let the “brass”
in the band take care of the music.
Sing along to Sousa? What a bizarre idea! But, now that you
know the words, try singing them in the next parade. Maybe that
will get you some new recruits—or at least a few good singers.
NOTE: “Peppy” Marcher, the author of this article, is the Director of Parade Decorum at the KWVA Editorial Offices.
73
The Graybeards
November – December 2008