"Ragged Old Flag" Is Johnny Cash's Musical Tribute To Patriotism

Mar 15, 2020 by apost team

Back in 1974, Johnny Cash (1932-2003) released an album called “Ragged Old Flag” that contained a single by the same name. The song “Ragged Old Flag” contains spoken lyrics about a tattered flag that was present at many important events during the United States’ history.

In the song, Cash is a young man who has just returned to the US after traveling abroad. While visiting a small town, he encounters an old man sitting on a park bench outside a run-down courthouse. Cash rudely comments on the condition of the courthouse and its flag. The old man responds, “We’re rather proud of that ragged old flag,” and then explains why in the rest of the lyrics.

apost.com

According to the old man, the ragged old flag’s rips and tears are honorable battle scars acquired during such events as Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War and World War II battles. The flag also survived being burned by protestors.

Cash had written the song during the time of the Watergate scandal that had forced President Nixon to resign. He had originally supported Nixon but later came to question some of his policies, especially those concerning the Vietnam War. Cash wrote “Ragged Old Flag” to reaffirm his patriotism and faith in the American people, as per Rolling Stone.

“Ragged Old Flag” enjoyed only limited success when it came out. Some critics considered it too sentimental and jingoistic. After 9/11, however, the song became more popular as it resonated with more people according to Meet America. Veterans’ groups often perform it on Independence Day and Veterans Day. In 2017, Fox Sports produced a video of “Ragged Old Flag” that was played right before the Super Bowl, reports Variety.

Cash wrote most of the rest of the songs on the album “Ragged Old Flag.” He and his wife June Carter Cash collaborated on the song “I’m A Worried Man,” which is about a man worried about his inability to support his family. Many of the songs on “Ragged Old Flag” expressed Cash’s concerns about the problems of the day. “Don’t Go Near the Water,” for example, is about water pollution.

Had you heard this story about Johnny Cash and his famous song? How does it resonate with you and your friends today? Pass it on to find out.