For The Dear Old Flag, I Die

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For The Dear Old Flag, I Die is a U.S. Civil War song. It was originally a poem written by George Cooper. The music by Stephen Foster was later added in. The song interprets the last words of a brave little drummer boy who was fatally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Verse 1

For the dear old Flag I die,

Said the wounded drummer boy;

Mother, press your lips to mine;

O, they bring me peace and joy!

'Tis the last time on earth

I shall ever see your face

Mother take me to your heart,

Let me die in your embrace.

(Chorus)

For the dear old Flag I die,

Mother, dry your weeping eye;

For the honor of our land

And the dear old Flag I die,

Verse 2

Do not mourn, my mother, dear,

Every pang will soon be o'er;

For I hear the angel band

Calling from their starry shore;

Now I see their banners wave

In the light of perfect day,

though 'tis hard to part with you,

Yet I would not wish to stay.

(Chorus)

For the dear old Flag I die,

Mother, dry your weeping eye;

For the honor of our land

And the dear old Flag I die.

Verse 3

Farewell mother, Death's cold hand

Weighs upon my spirit now,

And I feel his blighting breath

Fan my pallid cheek and brow.

Closer! closer! to your heart,

Let me feel that you are by,

While my sight is growing dim,

For the dear old Flag I die.

(Chorus)

For the dear old Flag I die,

Mother, dry your weeping eye;

For the honor of our land

And the dear old Flag I die.

Patriotic music of the United States
"America the Beautiful" • "Ballad of the Green Berets" • "Battle Cry of Freedom" • "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" • "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean" • "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" • "For The Dear Old Flag, I Die" • "God Bless America" • "God Bless the USA" • "Hail, Columbia" • "Hail to the Chief" • "The Liberty Bell" • "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" • "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" • "Over There" • "PT-109" • "Stars and Stripes Forever" • "The Star-Spangled Banner" • "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving" • "This is My Country" • "This Land Is Your Land" • "Yankee Doodle" • "The Yankee Doodle Boy" • "You're a Grand Old Flag" • "Fifty Nifty United States" • "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" Armed services: "The Army Goes Rolling Along" • "Anchors Aweigh" • "The U.S. Air Force" • "Marines' hymn" • "Semper Paratus"

Patriotic music of the United States