That flag, my country, I had thought,
From noble sires was given to thee;
By the best blood of patriots bought,
To wave alone above the Free!
Yet now, while to the breeze it waves,
It floats above three millions slaves.
The mighty dead that flag unrolled,
They bathed it in the heaven’s own blue;
They sprinkled stars upon each fold,
And gave it as a trust to you;