Ragged Old Flag
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Cash's song "Ragged Old Flag," the singer describes walking through a county courthouse square and talking to an old man sitting on a park bench. The singer points out that the courthouse and flagpole look run down, but the old man insists that they are good enough for their small town. The singer then observes that the flag itself is ragged and torn, and the old man responds by detailing the history of the flag through various American wars and conflicts. Despite the flag's many wounds, the old man notes that she is still standing and still represents the resilience and perseverance of the American people.


The lyrics of "Ragged Old Flag" celebrate the history and significance of the American flag, even in the face of adversity and challenge. Throughout the song, the flag is described as battered and bruised, but still flying proudly. The image of the flag as a symbol of America's strength, determination, and resilience is a powerful one, and it is a theme that runs throughout the song. By highlighting the flag's many struggles and triumphs, the song suggests that America itself is a resilient and enduring nation, one that can weather any storm.


One interesting fact about "Ragged Old Flag" is that it was inspired by a conversation that Johnny Cash had with a friend about the state of the country in the mid-1970s. At the time, America was going through a period of social and political upheaval, and Cash was concerned that the country had lost its sense of pride and purpose. He wrote the song as a way of reminding people of the values that Americans share and the things that make America great.


Line by Line Meaning

I walked through a county courthouse square
The singer is describing his surroundings


On a park bench an old man was sitting there
An old man was present in the park


I said, your old courthouse is kinda run down
The singer noticed the courthouse was in poor condition


He said, naw, it'll do for our little town
The old man defended the building


I said, your old flagpole has leaned a little bit
The artist observed the flagpole was not standing straight


And that's a ragged old flag you got hanging on it
The flag was old and worn out


He said, have a seat, and I sat down
The old man invited the singer to sit with him


Is this the first time you've been to our little town?
The old man asks about the artist's familiarity with the town


I said, I think it is
The artist confirms it was his first time there


He said, I don't like to brag
The old man claims not to like to boast


But we're kinda proud of that ragged old flag
The old man expresses pride in the country's flag


You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware
The flag has historical significance


And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
The flag was damaged during battles and wars


Sat watching it writing say can you see
Key wrote the 'Star-Spangled Banner' while watching the flag


And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
The flag was damaged again during the Battle of New Orleans


With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams
The battle involved famous generals, Jackson and Packingham


And it almost fell at the Alamo
The flag nearly fell during the Battle of the Alamo


Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though
The flag still flew despite its condition


She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
The flag was damaged yet again in Chancellorsville


And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill
The flag was damaged twice in Shiloh Hill


There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg
The battle involved famous Confederate generals


And the south wind blew hard on that ragged old flag
The flag withstood harsh weather conditions


On Flanders field in World War one
The flag was present in World War One


She got a big hole from a Bertha gun
The flag was damaged during the war


She turned blood red in World War Two
The flag was present in World War Two and was stained with blood


She hung limp and low a time or two
The flag hung low during difficult times


She was in Korea and Vietnam
The flag was present during the Korean and Vietnam War


She went where she was sent by Uncle Sam
The flag served its country obediently


She waved from our ships upon the Briny foam
The flag was present during naval battles


And now they've about quit waving her back here at home
The flag is not always celebrated in today's society


In her own good land here she's been abused
The flag is mistreated and not respected in America


She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused
The flag has been disrespected and burned by protestors


And the government for which she stands
The flag represents the American government


Is scandalized throughout the land
The government is often criticized and shamed


And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin
The flag is old and becoming frail


But she's in good shape for the shape she's in
Despite its condition, the flag is still strong


'Cause she's been through the fire before
The flag has survived difficult times in the past


And I believe she can take a whole lot more
The singer has faith that the flag will persevere


So we raise her up every morning
The flag is raised every morning


We take her down every night
The flag is lowered every night


We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
The flag is treated with great respect and care


On second thought, I do like to brag
The old man changes his mind and brags about the flag


'Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag
The old man expresses deep pride and admiration for the flag




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Cash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Hollows1997

As a Brit I know we take a verbal beating in this song, but, I’m just as proud as your Ragged Old Flag as I am my own.

Sure, we have had our ups and downs both as enemies and as allies but much of what is said of old glory in this video is true of our own Union Jack and I can’t think of any flags other than those of the US, Canada or the Anzacs that I would rather fly beside our own.

Brothers in Arms forever 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦🇦🇺🇳🇿❤️

Edited to share the love with our Pacific brothers and mates down under, I hadn’t forgotten about you but didn’t think so many of you would listen to this track.

Further edited: My thoughts and prayers are with you all today on September 11th, one of my mother’s colleagues sons was killed that awful day.



All comments from YouTube:

@kielbasathief9576

I think a lot of people need to hear this song more than ever.

@AmericanSavage1492

I strongly agree let's recommend this to folks

@justagreasemonkey

Oh definitely. My town has a flag that they flew during the civil war. Kinda confusing, confederate and Union flags both flew in my town. They still have both.

@lisadc4681

@@justagreasemonkey Awesome! What town?

@9rempire892

Yes

@TonioD49

The people you want to hear this already know about this stuff. They resent it. It means nothing to them. They openly support evil.

55 More Replies...

@bobbycaley

As a Canadian, I must say proudly that we are grateful to have you guys as neighbours and brothers in arms!

@rebelpride6895

If you ever get down to Alabama I have a place for you my friend

@classonbread5757

Swing by Alberta and you know where to come

@GNHawkBA23

And we love you back. Canada is such a beautiful country! Banff National Park is one of my favorite places in the world!

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