Music for Flag Day

By Amelia Hamilton Published on June 14, 2015

Stars and Stripes.
Old Glory.
The American flag.

You see her wave around the country, a reminder of America, all that she stands for, and the blessing of living in this great country. Sometimes, though, we see the flag so much that we forget what it really means. Today, we celebrate Flag Day, a day when we remember how many throughout history have fought and continue to fight under that banner.

Here are four songs which pay tribute to the flag.

You’re a Grand Old Flag

Billy Murray

Most Americans only know a small portion of this song. Originally part of the musical George Washington, Jr. by George M. Cohan it was first performed on Broadway in 1906. The song became even more famous in Cohan’s 1942 biopic Yankee Doodle Dandy, and has become one of America’s famous patriotic songs.

Ragged Old Flag

Johnny Cash

The title song from Johnny Cash’s 47th Album was released in 1974. The song makes reference to the flag’s presence at so many historical events such as Washington crossing the Delaware, the Alamo, both World Wars, and Vietnam. There is a hopeful message in the song embodied by the lyric “And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearin’ thin, But she’s in good shape, for the shape she’s in. Cause she’s been through the fire before/and I believe she can take a whole lot more.

The Star Spangled Banner

Whitney Houston

Francis Scott Keys’ 1814 poem Defence of Fort M’Henry serve as the lyrics to our national anthem, which is a tribute to our flag. It was recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889, and officially made our national anthem in 1931. Although there are four verses, only the first is commonly sung today. Through the years, we have been moved by many versions of this song, but perhaps none have so permeated popular culture as Whitney Houston’s singing of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991.

Stars and Stripes Forever

John Philip Sousa/ United States Marine Band

While it’s usually the lyrics that touch us, a musical march can get us just as excited about America. Stars and Stripes Forever, composed in 1897, was written as Sousa was on an ocean liner returning home from Europe. Nearly a hundred years later, in 1987, an act of Congress named this march the official national march of the United States of America.

Next time you see the flag flying, remember what it represents and be proud!