Time once more old bugler
Too swiftly came this dawn
Stand tall and blow the reveille
Our mantle we must don
Play loud and true good sentry
Soon comes a painful chore
Let people by your presence know
We’re Lincoln’s child once more
Beckon Bugler high and low
Make all heed quick your plea
Pals and swells and homeboys too
Turn out for liberty!
To see old glory raised on high
Proud bolt forlorn with worth
Soiled by toils, sweat and blood
The labors of our birth
Alas ’tis true it’s face shown dim
For people of odd sheen
Foreigners, natives, wretched souls
What torments they have seen
Yes, these echoed visions
Bear witness to our land
Even greatness and abundance
With these don’t seem so grand
Still, blow stout fellow! Unfurl the flag!
Proclaim us best bar none
Our greatness yearns to reign again
As history’s noblest son
Let some gnash teeth and spit their bile
Blare their harsh decree
Shout with ire some have less
That’s all their minds can see
Yes, flaws may be, good listeners
Still best the world has known
Left to learn, to find our way
What bounties could be sown
So brace old flag to steel our souls
The road ahead to trod
To march in faith or walk alone
Each to face his God
Rouse our fight brave bugler
With trumpet rend the air
Nudge the flag with strident blast
Its majesty re-declare!
Despite our crimes and faults and ills
We’ll grin with certainty
We’ll pay high price and do our best
To prove true loyalty
And all you heroes long gone down
We’ll ne’er forget your deeds
We’ll do our best to win your smile
As destiny it must needs
I am the bugler, you are too
We’re all in freedom’s band
Let’s raise the call and do our all
To save this precious land!
Al Shane
Upland, California
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