  HATS off! Blue and crimson and white it shines, Over the steel-tipped ordered lines, Hats off! The colors before us fly! But more than the flag is passing by. Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State. Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips. Days of plenty and years of peace; March of a strong land’s swift increase; Equal justice, right and law, Stately honor and reverent awe; Sign of a Nation, great and strong To ward her people from foreign wrong: Pride and glory and honor—all Live in the colors to stand or fall. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, And loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off! The flag is passing by! Henry Holcomb Bennett. |
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