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Home  »  The Book of New York Verse  »  George Washington Doane, D.D.

Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.

The Wedded Flags

George Washington Doane, D.D.

A song of the Atlantic Cable, August 16, 1858.

HANG out that glorious old red cross!

Hang out the stripes and stars!

They faced each other fearlessly

In two historic wars.

But now the ocean circlet binds

The bridegroom and the bride:

Old England, young America—

Display them, side by side.

High up, from Trinity’s tall spire,

We’ll fling the banners out;

Hear how the world-wide welkin rings

With that exulting shout.

Was ever sign so beautiful,

Hung from the heavens, abroad?

Old England, young America

For freedom, and for God!