About the song
Johnny Cash, often referred to as “The Man in Black,” was one of the most influential and revered figures in American music. His voice, imbued with both gravel and warmth, was a reflection of the American spirit itself—rugged, yet deeply soulful. One of his most poignant and socially conscious songs, “Ragged Old Flag,” offers a striking commentary on the complexities of patriotism, national identity, and the history of the United States. Released in 1974, this track was featured on his album “Ragged Old Flag,” an album that reflects Cash’s ongoing engagement with themes of American life, struggle, and resilience.
“Ragged Old Flag” was released as both a single and as the title track of the album, and it became a unique entry in Johnny Cash’s vast catalog of songs. At a time when the United States was recovering from the upheaval of the 1960s—marked by the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and political disillusionment—“Ragged Old Flag” was Cash’s reflective, yet hopeful, take on the state of the nation. The song is a spoken-word piece, in which Cash uses his trademark deep, resonant voice to narrate a story about an old, worn American flag and the struggles it has witnessed throughout history. The flag, as Cash describes it, is a symbol not of perfection but of perseverance—”a ragged old flag” that has been torn, burned, and repaired over the years, yet it continues to stand as a testament to the country’s enduring spirit.
The meaning of the song centers around the resilience of the American flag as a symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and survival, despite the nation’s flaws and the hardships it has faced. Cash presents the flag not as a flawless ideal but as something that has been through wars, civil strife, and the weight of history. In his narrative, the flag represents the American people—flawed, but resilient and capable of withstanding challenges. Cash emphasizes that despite the flaws of the nation, the flag still stands, just as the people of America continue to stand in the face of adversity. The song’s message is deeply patriotic, yet it is also reflective, urging listeners to look beyond the surface of national symbols and understand their deeper meaning.
On a societal level, “Ragged Old Flag” taps into the sentiments of the post-Vietnam era, a time when the country was grappling with its identity and struggling to reconcile the ideals of freedom and justice with the realities of war, civil rights struggles, and political corruption. Johnny Cash, who had long been a champion of the working class and the disenfranchised, used this song to remind listeners of the complex, sometimes painful, but ultimately enduring nature of the American experience. By juxtaposing the flag’s image with a history of hardship and sacrifice, Cash encouraged a nuanced view of patriotism—one that acknowledges both the triumphs and the failures of the country.
The impact of “Ragged Old Flag” extends beyond its musical elements. In many ways, the song is a reflection of Johnny Cash’s larger role as a voice for the American underdog. Throughout his career, Cash was known for giving voice to those on the fringes of society, from prisoners to the poor to the forgotten. With this track, he again placed the spotlight on the intersection of American ideals and the struggles of the common people. It’s a message that transcends time, reminding us that the symbols of a nation are shaped by the experiences of its people—both the proud and the painful.
In terms of musical style, “Ragged Old Flag” is distinctive for its spoken word delivery, which was somewhat of a departure from Cash’s usual singing style. The song’s simplicity allows Cash’s voice and the weight of the words to take center stage, with sparse instrumentation that doesn’t distract from the narrative. This stripped-back approach adds to the song’s raw, earnest quality, enhancing its emotional impact. It is a perfect example of Cash’s ability to convey profound meaning with minimalistic musical backing, relying instead on the power of his voice and the potency of his words.
In conclusion, “Ragged Old Flag” is more than just a song about patriotism—it is a reflection on the American experience, offering both a critique and a celebration of the country. Through this track, Johnny Cash once again demonstrated his ability to blend social commentary with personal reflection, creating a song that resonates deeply with listeners who understand that love for one’s country is often complicated but enduring. “Ragged Old Flag” remains a timeless piece of American music, capturing the tension, resilience, and spirit of a nation still in the process of defining itself.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse]
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sitting there
I said “Your old court house is kind of run down”, he said
“Naw, it’ll do for our little town”
I said “Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit”
And that’s a ragged old flag you got hanging on it
He said “Have a seat”, and I sat down
“Is this the first time you’ve been to our little town?”
I said “I think it is”, he said
“I don’t like to brag
But we’re kind of proud of that ragged old flag
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware
And it got powder burned the night that Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writin’ “Say Can You See”
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tugging at its seams
And It almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag but
She waved on though
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and Bragg
And the south wind blew hard on that ragged old flag
On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two
She was in Korea, Vietnam
She went where she was sent
By her Uncle Sam
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
And now they’ve about quit waving back here at home
In her own good land here she’s been abused
She’s been burned, dishonored, denied and refused
And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout out the land
And she’s gettin’ thread bare, and she’s wearing thin
But she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in
‘Cause she’s been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more”
So we raise her up every morning
We take her down every night
We don’t let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
‘Cause I’m mighty proud of that ragged old flag