About the Song
Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag,” released in 1974 on the album of the same name, isn’t your typical patriotic anthem. It’s a song that celebrates America with a critical eye, acknowledging its flaws while holding onto a deep respect for the ideals it represents.
Cash, a legend known for his baritone voice and his exploration of social and political issues, wrote “Ragged Old Flag” during a time of national turmoil. The Watergate scandal had shaken public trust in government, and the Vietnam War was leaving a deep scar on the nation’s psyche.
The song opens with a simple acoustic guitar figure, setting a contemplative mood. Cash’s vocals, characteristically gravelly yet imbued with sincerity, tell the story through a conversation between an old man and a newcomer in a small town. The old man, despite acknowledging the flag’s tattered state (“Kinda proud of that ragged old flag”), expresses unwavering faith in the American dream and the potential of its people.
“Ragged Old Flag” isn’t blind patriotism. The lyrics grapple with the complexities of American history, mentioning wars and social injustices. However, the song ultimately expresses a belief in America’s ability to overcome its flaws and strive towards a better future. Cash doesn’t shy away from the difficult aspects of the nation’s story, but he emphasizes the importance of holding onto hope and ideals.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its nuanced approach to patriotism. It allows listeners to celebrate their country while acknowledging its imperfections. Cash’s powerful delivery and the song’s simple yet evocative lyrics resonate with anyone who grapples with the complexities of loving a nation with a flawed history.
“Ragged Old Flag” transcended its time. The song’s message of critical patriotism found renewed relevance after the September 11th attacks, becoming an anthem for those who mourned the tragedy while holding onto faith in the nation’s resilience.
In conclusion, Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag” is more than just a song; it’s a conversation starter. It reminds us that patriotism can be complex, that love for one’s country can coexist with a desire to see it improve. It’s a song that continues to resonate with listeners across generations, challenging us to reflect on what it truly means to be American.
Video
Lyrics: Ragged Old Flag
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin’ there.
I said, “Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, “Naw, it’ll do for our little town”.
I said, “Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that’s a ragged old flag you got hangin’ 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”
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging 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 and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag“On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they’ve about quit wavin’ back here at home
in her own good land here She’s been abused,
She’s been burned, dishonored, denied an’ refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearin’ 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
And we bring her down slow 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”