Our Duty to Our Flag

Less hate and greed

Is what we need

And more of service true;

More men to love

The flag above

And keep it first in view.

Less boast and brag

About the flag,

More faith in what it means;

More heads erect,

More self-respect,

Less talk of war machines.

The time to fight

To keep it bright

Is not along the way,

Nor 'cross the foam,

But here at home

Within ourselves—to-day.

'Tis we must love

That flag above

With all our might and main;

For from our hands—

Not distant lands—

Shall come dishonor's stain.

If that flag be

Dishonored, we

Have done it—-not the foe;

If it shall fall,

We, first of all,

Shall have to strike the blow.