Classic Poem

Hoist the flag to world-wide admiration
Till aloft it proudly flies!
Heroes, lower swords in salutation!
Memories and hopes, arise
With that banner to the skies!

See yon cross there gleaming ever brighter,
Honor's gold on faith's fair blue!
'Tis the ancient sign to each good fighter,
Victory is still his due
While in God his cause is true.

Triple dragon-tongues on high advancing,
Which the viking vessels bore,
From your lofty mast be ever glancing
On the ocean's azure floor,
Tokening the deeds of yore!

Noble memories have fixed their dwelling
In our ensign and our folk,
Of achievements in far countries telling,
Lands that bowed them to our yoke;
Still those tales our pride evoke.

Hail, thou witness of our ancient glory!
Hail, our friend in joy and pain!
Hail thou too, O ancient Swedish story,
Which in many a deadly fray
Taught us ne'er to feel dismay!

Wave, O faithful flag, let men behold thee
Ever honored, ever feared!
May'st thou still with colors brave unfold thee
Where blue billows are upreared,
Free and to the end revered!