• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Ragged Old Flag

ragged old flag

(YouTube)

June 14, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

Since today is flag day we thought we’d share the lyrics to the classic tune, “Ragged Old Flag,” written and performed by Johnny Cash.

Cash wrote the ballad in 1974. It follows the story of an old man in a town square, recalling what the country and flag have endured throughout time.

The “Man in Black” as he was known wanted to “reaffirm faith in the country and the goodness of the American people” in a country tune, according to American Songwriter.

“Ragged Old Flag” quickly became a hit. When performing live, Cash would often open by saying, “I thank God for all the freedom we have in this country, I cherish them and treasure them – even the right to burn the flag. We also got the right to bear arms, and if you burn my flag, I’ll shoot you.”

No doubt Cash’s words are mighty offensive to many in the politically correct crowd today. But we are not going to “cancel” him or the heart behind the message.

RAGGED OLD FLAG

By 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

Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: flagJohnny Cashragged old flag
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Officers rescuing fallen American flag after storm goes viral

June 17, 2023
Thin Blue Line flag

Thin blue line flag banned from charity event after Villanova students protest

December 16, 2022
flag

Sportswriter disturbed by American flags at Olympics

July 27, 2021
American law enforcement

New York Times mocked after politicizing patriotism

July 4, 2021

Biden reverses decision to fly flags at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day

May 16, 2021

Coffee Shop seeks millions after being forced off Boise State campus for supporting police

March 28, 2021
Load More

Latest Articles

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025

‘Completely blew it’: Former union president calls out Minneapolis Police Department leadership missteps

June 12, 2025
Pixabay

Police Shoot Man Wielding Chainsaw During Disturbance

June 12, 2025
FBI raids

FBI: If Local Agencies Don’t Prosecute Violence, The DOJ Will…

June 9, 2025

Arizona Officer Dies After Being Shot in the Line of Duty

June 8, 2025

Police Crack Down on Illegal Street Racing with Spike Strip Operation

June 8, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com