Ragged Old Flag
Politics of our country upsetting you? Tired of the sensationalism the press puts on every single story? Frustrated with people constantly attacking and/or degrading others on social media? Wondering if this country can ever survive the division and separation we are seeing today?
There is hope – in fact, a great deal of hope!
The world, and yes, our country, have “been there–done that.” Collectively we have been through every imaginable challenge mankind can experience. The Bible reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. People thought the Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented, but we’ve had plagues and famines occur many times in our past.
Why is there hope?
Because we have a Savior in Jesus Christ who loves us and will never leave us. We had founding fathers that had “been there-done that” through many worldly circumstances….AND…the pure and simple fact is, the overwhelming majority of the people know this and understand this. There are far more people on this earth who believe in God and whom honor each-others personal views and their desire for meaningful lives, than you ever hear about. Most true US citizens absolutely adore their freedoms and the core principles of this country.
Yes, you will never see this or hear this on the news, but it is true. I have travelled to many different countries and experienced many different cultures, and never have I seen any evidence that contradicts these statements – THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, WORLD-WIDE, ARE GOOD AND CARE.
I know it’s sometimes hard to see. We are bombarded by people who have been blessed with far more than most in the world, and yet tear down this country and many different classes of people, just because they don’t fit into their perfect view of what they want to see. Just because you excel in one thing, i.e. acting, music, CEO, scientist, or political leader, does not mean you are an expert in any other area or that your opinion matters more than others.
We live in an incredible world, with outstanding people, and limitless possibilities. God has provided the perfect place for us to live and strive – what incredible love God has for each and everyone of us to give us such a magnificent place to call home.
When Louie “Satchmo” Armstrong recoded “What a Wonderful World,” he was sooo right. God created a wonderful world full of beautiful people and magnificent scenery – we need to take advantage of God’s creations and embrace the beauty and glory of it all -we are sooooo blessed!!!
When I think about this country, and “Satchmo’s” song, another wonderful “song, or should I say “soliloquy” comes to mind. The story of the Ragged Old Flag, which was released for the first time, 48 years ago last week.
Ragged Old Flag” was written in 1974 while Johnny Cash was in Binghamton, N.Y.. The story was inspired by the political turbulence resulting in President Nixon’s impeachment and the Watergate scandal. Although Cash had publicly supported Nixon’s candidacy, he had started to question the wisdom of Nixon-era policies concerning the Vietnam War. He wrote “Ragged Old Flag” to “reaffirm” faith in the country and the goodness of the American people.
This story depicts the American spirit, and heart, so very well. Thank God, He has blessed us with this great nation, and great patriots. No matter how troubling things get, God has our backs and the world will survive until that day when Jesus returns. We only need to keep our faith and focus on God.
The people of this country, will keep the American spirit alive. Staying true to our founding fathers will. Our silent majority of country loving citizens will always stay focused on God and our country. I have faith in God and I believe in the American people.
To drive my point home about our country, here are the words to the Ragged Old Flag – I think it perfectly depicts the USA as a whole and the fact that challenges will come and go, but the flag will still fly, no matter how rugged it gets!
If you would rather hear the “song” in the original form,
click this link: Ragged Old Flag
Released: May 6, 1974
Ragged Old Flag
Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse square On a park bench an old man was sitting there I said, your old courthouse is kinda run down He said, naw, it'll do for our little town I said, your old flagpole has leaned a little bit And that's a ragged old flag you got hanging 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 And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' 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, Beauregard, and Bragg And the south wind blew hard on that ragged old flag
On Flanders field in World War one She got a big hole from a Bertha gun She turned blood red in World War Two She hung limp and low a time or two She was in Korea and Vietnam She went where she was sent by Uncle Sam
She waved from our ships upon the Briny foam And now they've about quit waving her back here at home In her own good land here she's been abused She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused
And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land And she's getting threadbare and wearing 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 We take her down 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
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Cash
Ragged Old Flag lyrics © BMG Rights Management