To keep in mind from day to day
That I’m a soldier in the fray;
That I must serve, from sun to sun,
As well as he who bears a gun
The flag that flies above us all,
And answer well my Country’s call.
I must not for one hour forget
Unto the Stars and Stripes my debt.
’Twas spotless on’ my day of birth,
And when at last I quit this earth
Old Glory still must spotless be
For all who follow after me.
At some post where my work will fit
I must with courage do my bit;
Some portion of myself I’d give
That freedom and the Flag may live.
And in some way I want to feel
That I am doing service real.
I must in all I say and do
Respect the red, the white and blue’,
Nor dim with petty deeds of shame
The splendor of Old Glory’s fame;
I must not let my standards drag,
For my disgrace would stain the Flag.
Other works by Edgar Albert Guest...
