However, “Ragged Old Flag,” one of Cash’s most memorable compositions, diverges from traditional song structure—it’s spoken rather than sung. Cash opted to deliver it as a spoken word piece set to music, a choice that heightened its memorability.
Like many country songs, this poem narrates a story. It begins with a visitor to a small town who encounters an elderly man seated on a bench. The younger man remarks on the worn appearance of the town, particularly the ragged old flag outside the courthouse. Inviting the visitor to sit, the old man recounts the flag’s history through a litany of battles it symbolically witnessed, from the Revolutionary War onwards. Despite enduring damage, the flag persisted through each conflict.
As Cash eloquently recites the poem, it delves into the challenges the flag has faced within the nation itself, such as incidents of flag burning signifying internal unrest and discontent.
Yet, the poem concludes on an optimistic note. The old man highlights the flag’s resilience, asserting its ability to endure and thrive despite adversity. He proudly extols, “our ragged old flag.”
In 1985, Cash performed the piece at the Billy Graham Crusade in Anaheim, California, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo. Without musical accompaniment, his recitation created a poignant atmosphere, stirring the audience’s patriotism. Through this performance, Cash reaffirmed his unique place in country music and underscored why his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come
