Words On An Envelope

We were scribbled here one early morn amidst a bloody war As from a ship he gazed to see what flew there on the shore. The rockets and the bombs that flew brightened the midnight sky And he could see it flying still upon its pole so high. He searched and found an envelope and then a pen to write The inspiration from the flag that flew there through the night. Oh yes, we were just simple words, not wrote on paper fine, Yet as we traveled through the years it seemed it was designed That we should make our humble way into each patriot’s heart Who stood to watch the stars and stripes and with the tears would start. It seemed that was the way God planned that we would soon become The anthem of a nation free that ever would be sung. We wonder if he knows it now, and what if he could see That flag still flying high and proud, proclaiming liberty. Would he still quiver as he heard these simple words again, Or would he tremble as he sees what freedom’s done to men? Would he still gaze with straining eyes to see the flag still wave, And would he praise the land of free and the home of the brave? Or would he wish that all would see we’re giving it away, That what was precious in our eyes but no more is today? We’re only words, so we can’t know what we mean to each man And if when he hears he is proud to give salute and stand, Or if within his inner heart he just can hardly wait To get the song all over with, so he waits there irate. We’d like to hope we ever stay the message of the free That we became on the envelope when wrote by Francis Key.