Vintage Audio: You're A Grand Old Flag
Updated - Sunday, 26 January, 2003

For obvious reasons this song - You're a Grand Old Flag - with music and lyrics by George M. Cohan, became an instant sentimental U.S. favourite following America's decision to enter the war against Germany in April 1917.

The lyrics to the song are below.  Click here to listen to a 1918 recording of the song performed by the American Quartet (formerly the Premier Quartet, formed in 1909 - MP3 format 613kb).

You're A Grand Old Flag

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.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

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.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

By 1918 the percentage of women to men working in Britain had risen to 37% from 24% at the start of the war.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated