"That Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town".
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag


"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag


"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She's been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
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.


"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I do like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"

We have a tradition now, my parents come out to visit for the 4th and on the night of the 3rd we go to the Black Hills Round Up PRCA Rodeo.  We have had the same announcer all of the years we have been there and he is very good at what he does.  But the tradition comes with the fireworks after, the night of the 3rd, and since we have tickets to the rodeo we can stay sitting and still see the fireworks.  Last night as we were sitting there with my Mom, Dad, and the kiddos while looking just a little across the way and seeing some of our newfound best friends it was amazing.  Someone always puts together a patriotic melody and it usually includes "That Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash and alot of times the country song that goes, "That's something to be proud of, that's a life you can hang your hat on..." anyway, you cannot help but think of how this country was founded, what it was founded on, the fact that back when our country was born the majority of the leaders were God fearing folk.  But you also think of those who sacrificed to make our country free....July 4th is always very emotional for me...first because of what it represents and the country so many worked hard to give us, and second because of the family connections and traditions we are raising our children with.  I can almost never make it through the fireworks with all the patriotic music playing. 

Last night as we were hanging out, my dad just behind me, my husband beside me, Mom sitting taking pictures of the kids in a great Grandma like fashion, and the kids leaning into us it was just plain great.  And all of a sudden they play a song I would not necessarily agree with and do not listen to but it stated, "we'll put a boot in your @#$ it's the American way" and while some thought inapropriate (I do not disagree) it also made me think of what our country is becoming.  The very imporant base of the a God fearing nation is very quickly going, and the leaders of the country are throwing away our freedom like it means nothing. 

So today as you enjoy parades, carnivals, fireworks, family picnics, please take time to be thankful for the fact that we do live in a nation that was born into a "Trust in God" belief and that we do still have the freedom to worship as we please.  Also be thankful for the many MANY men and women that sacrificed and are still doing so to keep our nation free! 

Happy 4th of July!