Page:The Riverside song book.djvu/27
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THE FLOWER OF LIBERTY.
3
- 3. Behold its streaming rays unite,
- One mingling flood of braided light,—
- The red that fires the Southern rose,
- With spotless white from Northern snows,
- And, spangled o'er its azure, see
- The sister Stars of Liberty!
- Then hail, then hail the banner of the free,
- The starry Flower, the Flower of Liberty!
- 4. The blades of heroes fence it round,
- Where'er it springs is holy ground;
- From tower and dome its glories spread;
- It waves where lonely sentries tread;
- It makes the land as ocean free,
- And plants an empire on the sea!
- Then hail, then hail the banner of the free,
- The starry Flower, the Flower of Liberty!
- 5. Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower,
- Shall ever float on dome and tower.
- To all their heav'nly colors true,
- In black'ning frost or crimson dew,—
- And God love us as we love thee,
- Thrice holy Flower of Liberty!
- Then hail, then hail the banner of the free,
- The starry Flower, the Flower of Liberty!