Introduction

American country singer Johnny Cash (1932–2003) released this spoken-word tribute to the flag (and its title album) in 1974 as a response to the widespread disillusionment that followed the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. What is the mood of the poem? Why is the old flag ragged? What does the ragged old flag mean to the old man? Why does he take pride in it? Does the poem move you to do so too?

For a musical rendition, listen to Cash perform the song on PBS in 1993.

Read the lyrics online.

Return to The Meaning of Flag Day.