when freedom from her mountain height

unfurled her standard to the air,

she tore the azure robe of night,

and set the stars of glory there:

she mingled with her gorgeous dyes

the milky baldric of the skies,

and striped its pure celestial white

with streakings of the morning light;

then, from his mansion in the sun,

she called her eagle-bearer down,

and gave into his mighty hand

the symbol of her chosen land!

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flag of the free heart’s hope and home!

by angel hands to valor given!

thy stars have lit the welkin dome,

and all thy hues were born in heaven.

forever float that standard sheet!

where breathes the foe but falls before us,

with freedom’s soil beneath our feet,

and freedom’s banner streaming o’er us!

—joseph rodman drake.