Fly A Clean Flag

This I heard the Old Flag say As I passed it yesterday: 'Months ago your friendly hands Fastened me on slender strands And with patriotic love Placed me here to wave above You and yours. I heard you say On that long departed day: 'Flag of all that's true and fine, Wave above this house of mine; Be the first at break of day And the last at night to say To the world this word of cheer: Loyalty abideth here.' 'Here on every wind that's blown, O'er your' portal I have flown; Rain and snow have battered me, Storms at night have tattered me; Dust of street and chimney stack Day by day have stained me black, And I've watched you passing there, Wondering how much you care. Have you noticed that your flag, Is to-day a wind-blown rag? Has your love so careless grown By the long neglect you've shown That you never raise your eye To the symbol that you fly?' 'Flag, on which no stain has been, 'Tis my sin that you're unclean,' Then I answered in my shame. 'On my head must lie the blame. Now with patriotic hands I release you from your strands, And a spotless flag shall fly Here to greet each passer-by. Nevermore shall Flag of mine Be a sad and sorry sign Telling all who look above I neglect the thing I love. But my Flag of faith shall be Fit for every eye to see.'