To recognize our American holiday – July 4th Independence Day – I’m sharing two tributes to the American flag for #TwoForTuesday. Each tribute reminds us what the American flag represents. One is a spoken-word song, and the other is a stand-up performance (skit).
Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash
and
I Love Liberty by Robin Williams.
Johnny Cash wrote Ragged Old Flag and released it on April 5, 1974 on his 47th album of the same title. It is a spoken-word song that tells the story that a stranger new to the small town has with an old-timer who has a few things to say about the ragged old flag flying at the courthouse.
In the March 21, 1982 TV special, I Love Liberty, Robin Williams, dressed in the red, white, and blue stars and stripes, performed a skit from the anthropomorphized perspective of the American Flag. The television special was created by Norman Lear and presented by People for the American Way.
Robin Williams’ I Love Liberty skit is as iconic Robin Williams as a spoken-word song is for Johnny Cash. Both Ragged Old Flag and this I Love Liberty skit are relevant today.
Until next time,
Kaye Spencer
Lasterday Stories
writing through history one romance upon a time