You're a Grand Old Flag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "You're a Grand Old Flag" |
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Cover of 1906 sheet music
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| Song | |
| Published | 1906 |
| Genre | Patriotic, American march |
| Songwriter(s) | George M. Cohan |
Paul V. Yoder's arrangement of "You're a Grand Old Flag"'s chorus, as performed by a United States Army band. |
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"You're a Grand Old Flag" is a famous American patriotic march. This lively song was written by George M. Cohan. It celebrates the U.S. flag. The song also includes parts of other popular tunes, even one of Cohan's own. Cohan created this song in 1906 for his stage musical called George Washington, Jr.
Contents
The Story Behind the Song
How "You're a Grand Old Flag" Began
The song was first performed on February 6, 1906. This was the opening night of the play at the Herald Square Theater in New York City. "You're a Grand Old Flag" quickly became very popular. It was the first song from a musical to sell over a million copies of its sheet music.
The idea for the song's title came from someone Cohan met. The Library of Congress website shares this story. Cohan met a veteran from the American Civil War. This veteran had fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. The veteran was holding an old, worn flag that he had carefully folded. He reportedly told Cohan, "She's a grand old rag."
From "Rag" to "Flag"
Cohan thought "She's a grand old rag" was a great line. He first named his song "You're a Grand Old Rag." However, many people did not like calling the flag a "rag." So, Cohan changed the words. He renamed the song "You're a Grand Old Flag."
In the play, the scene with the Civil War soldier was shown. The soldier's comment led into the song. The first version of the chorus started with, "You're a grand old rag / You're a high-flying flag." Even though Cohan tried to remove this version, some artists had already recorded it. For example, Billy Murray recorded it as "The Grand Old Rag." Copies of this original version can still be found by collectors.
Cohan tried another version of the chorus. It began, "You're a grand old flag / Though you're torn to a rag." The final version, which we know today, has a slightly different rhyme.
Modern Versions of the Song
Today, you can hear many different versions of "You're a Grand Old Flag." Paul V. Yoder created a special arrangement in 1954. This version is often used by the U.S. military when they perform the song.
When the Song is Used
This song is often played by marching bands. You might hear it on Flag Day. This holiday celebrates the national flag of the United States.
Song Lyrics
Verse 1
There's a feeling comes a-stealing,
And it sets my brain a-reeling,
When I'm list'ning to the music of a military band.
Any tune like "Yankee Doodle"
Simply sets me off my noodle,
It's that patriotic something that no one can understand.
"Way down South, in the land of cotton,"
Melody untiring,
Ain't that inspiring?
Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll join the jubilee!
And that's going some, for the Yankees, by gum!
Red, White and Blue, I am for you!
Honest, you're a grand old flag!
Verse 2
I'm no cranky hanky panky,
I'm a dead square, honest Yankee,
And I'm mighty proud of that old flag that flies for Uncle Sam.
Though I don't believe in raving
Ev'ry time I see it waving,
There's a chill runs up my back that makes me glad I'm what I am.
Here's a land with a million soldiers,
That's if we should need 'em,
We'll fight for freedom!
Hurrah! Hurrah! For ev'ry Yankee Tar,
And old G.A.R., ev'ry stripe, ev'ry star.
Red, White and Blue, hats off to you!
Honest, you're a grand old flag!
Chorus
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high-flying flag,
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of the land I love,
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'Neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
Other Ways the Song is Used
The song has been changed and used by sports teams. The Melbourne Football Club in Australia uses it as their team anthem. Other lower league clubs like West Perth Football Club, Sturt Football Club, Norwood Football Club, and North Hobart Football Club also use it.
