A Flag Pays Tribute

I am not flying high and proud today, For one who honored me has passed away, And now my tribute to this man I pay By flying half mast in the gentle breeze. My friends all do the same across the land-- It is our simple, patriotic plan To pay respect and honor to this man By flying this way everybody sees. I’ve flown here through the night and through the day Reminding of the price that many pay; My stars and stripes a message seem to say That I for freedom in this nation stand. But now they come and slowly take me down And take such care that I don’t touch the ground, For I’m the flag that they will wrap around The casket of this great and famous man. I wonder now as down the road I go If people who look on do really know The message that I try to clearly show: I honor those who gladly honor me. Or do they even take time to salute And honor those who for me took pursuit? I know not, but I still pay my tribute To men who know the price of liberty. My friends who stayed behind don’t envy me, They take their pride in skies for all to see; They know they have this place in liberty To fly, proclaiming freedom to all men. I wonder, though, how many more it takes Before all men who honor freedom’s sake And humbly on their knees new vows then make To honor God’s great freedom once again.