"When borne by the red, white, and blue." These lapses are explained by the fact that the author was an Englishman by birth, and it was very natural that he should make them. Though written by a native-born Englishman, the song was thoroughly American in its inception and origin. In the English version, already referred to, the first line is altered to read,-- "Britannia, the pride of the ocean." In these days of kindly fellowship with England, Americans are perfectly willing to share their song of "red, white, and blue" with their cousins across the water. [Illustration] [Illustration: _GEORGE POPE MORRIS_] _THE FLAG OF OUR UNION._ A song for our banner, the watchword recall Which gave the Republic her station: "United we stand--divided we fall!" It made and preserves us a nation. The union of lakes, the union of lands, The union of States none can sever! The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the Flag of our Union forever and ever, The Flag of our Union forever! What God in his infinite wisdom designed, And armed with republican thunder, Not all the earth's despots and factions combined Have the power to conquer or sunder. The union of lakes, the union of lands, The union of States none can sever! The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the Flag of our Union forever and ever, The Flag of our Union forever! Oh, keep that flag flying! The pride of the van! To all other nations display it! The ladies for union are to a--man! And not to the man who'd betray it. Then the union of lakes, the union of lands, The union of States none can sever! The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the Flag of the Union forever! --_George P. Morris._ The author of _The Flag of our Union_ was one of the most distinguished journalists of the early half of the nineteenth century in America. He was for many years the editor of the _Mirror_, which was in its time the best literary magazine in the country. Such men as William Cullen Bryant, Fitz-Green Halleck, Nathaniel P. Willis, Theodore S. Fay, and Epes Sargent found in its pages a chance to express the poetry, romance, and philosophy which flowed from their brilliant and graceful pens. Morris was the author of many songs and poems that have become household words throughout the land. Who does not recall,-- "Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. 'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot: There, woodman, let it stand, Thy ax shall harm it not!" And these other lines from _My Mother's Bible_, equally well known,-- [Illustration: _WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY_ (_N. E. corner of cadets' barracks_)]