July 4, 1971: I was 4-1/2 and Phil was 3-1/2 when we sang You're a Grand Old Flag for everyone at the family picnic.
“You’re a Grand Old Flag” was written by George M. Cohan for his 1906 stage musical “George Washington, Jr.” The song was introduced to the public in the play’s first act on opening night, February 6, 1906, in New York’s Herald Square Theater. It was the first song from a musical to sell over a million copies of sheet music.
Mom taught Phil and me to sing this song in the summer of 1971, and when the whole family gathered at my Aunt and Uncle Duffy’s house for our July 4th picnic I remember being hoisted up on a table to sing it for everyone. I still love singing this one!
You’re a grand old flag
You’re a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave!
You’re the emblem of
The land I love
The home of the free and the brave!
Every heart beats true
Under red, white and blue
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
But should auld acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag!
Product/technique notes
I followed the sketch provided by PageMaps for the Back Porch Memories August guest designer contest, and all the products except the sequins are from the My Minds’ Eye “American Made” collection (for their Let Freedom Ring challenge).
Note: I’m submitting this to the Paper Issues “Hooray for the red, white and blue” link party.
Great job on sketch! Good luck! 🙂
You’re really talented, I love your take on the sketches!! You always use wonderful color palettes.