151 
 
 
 
 
 
AN HYMN 
 
FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 
 
(Independence Day) 
 
Brothers and sisters, on this day 
 Of deathless glory, let us come 
United in our glad array 
 To hymn our fathers’ martyrdom. 
Ashes to ashes ?  Dust to dust ?   
So let it be !  In God we trust. 
 
They died—they died—and we are free. 
 Take up their cross !  Deserve their crown !   
The stainless flag of liberty 
 By man shall not be trodden down !   
Ashes to ashes ?  Dust to dust ?   
So let it be !  In God we trust. 
 
In war and earthquake, wreck and wrong, 
 Still let the flag of freedom fly !   
In peace and safety, still be strong !   
 For we will live as we would die. 
Ashes to ashes ?  Dust to dust ?   
So let it be !  In God we trust. 
 
Though ruin wash the world in blood, 
 Though death devour, though time decay,