Jubilate ‎#222

222. How Betsy Made the Flag

1 Said Washington to Betsy Ross, “A flag our nation needs,
To lead our valiant soldiers on to high and noble deeds;
Now, can you make one for us”? To which she made reply
“I am not certain that I can; at least I’ll gladly try.”

Refrain:
So she took some red for the blood they shed,
Some white for purity,
Some stars so bright from the sky o’erhead,
Some blue for loyalty,
And sewed them all together,
For loyal hearts and true;
And hand in hand as one we stand,
For the red, white and blue.

2 Said Betsy Ross to Washington, “Your country’s flag behold,”
And thro’ his tear-dimmed eyes he saw the Stars and Stripes unfold;
Then to his breast he clasped it and looked to heav’n above,
“O may it ever stand” he cried, “for right and truth and love.” [Refrain]

3 She made the flag as we all know with stitches strong and neat,
And neither on the land or sea has that flag met defeat;
The Stars and Stripes shall ever above our country wave,
Our land of truth and freedom and the homeland of the brave. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Said Washington to Betsy Ross
• Title: How Betsy Made the Flag
• Author: C. A. M.
• Refrain First Line: So she took some red for the blood they shed
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917

Tune Information

• Name: [Said Washington to Betsy Ross]
• Composer: C. Austin Miles