LAE Bill “Lefty” Lawrence
Old Glory cover art

Left Alone • Track 12

Old Glory

Fleet Defense.

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Liner Notes

About the song

True story. As true as you're standing there.

Mission: FLEET DEFENSE. We have a republic. If we can keep it.

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“Paddles” are Landing Signal Officers — Naval Aviators who help bring aircraft safely aboard the carrier. The nickname comes from the visual paddles used long ago to guide pilots on final approach.

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Paddles are the rush chairmen of the Fleet: part safety officer, part coach, part morale engine. They keep standards high, spirits up, and sometimes have to deliver harsh news.

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Old Glory Lyrics

      The lightning lit up Texas
      Rain beat hard 'til the dawn
      The dogs were packed against me
      As the thunder rolled along

      My eyes popped wide open
      My last night's dreams were gone
      I realized I'd forgotten
      Old Glory on the lawn

      I ran to the door as quickly
      As I could get my cold boots on
      I was actually thinking oh say can you see
      Prayed those stars and stripes weren't gone

      The sun was brightly rising
      Up Memorial Day
      Old Glory held through the night
      She's seen much worse along the way

      Still waving there beside the street
      She was drying in first light
      Although she wasn't worse for wear
      Should have brought her in last night

      Oh say can you see
      Became so real to me
      To see that flag waving
      For all of us to see

      Oh say can you see
      What that flag means to me
      Your hat on, still talking
      I'm saluting silently

      I love my life beneath her
      Sailed the oceans and flew the skies
      Buried friends who never made it home
      I still ask myself just why

      She ain't cloth and thread and stitchin'
      She ain't politics on TV
      She's folded hands and broken hearts
      And the symbol that we're free

      Oh say can you see
      You I will not fight
      You may be out there protesting
      My friends died for all our rights

      Oh say can you see
      What this flag means to me
      I will not choose hate
      But try for understanding

      Me I see imperfect people
      Trying to unite more perfectly
      If we all can recognize it's not just you or me

      It's hard to hear the quiet
      With all the din from every fight
      Above it all Old Glory's flying
      Through another storm tonight

      Tonight I'll take her down
      And raise her right once more
      Old Glory looks as good in peace
      As she ever did in war

      You probably won't catch my quick salute
      I won't make a show of it
      But if you do I'll smile at you
      These colors never quit

      I think of my friends' sacrifice
      And pray to God we trust
      May we do all that we can do
      To help you and me be US

      Oh say can you see
      Became so real to me
      To see that flag waving
      For all of us to see

      Oh say can you see
      What tomorrow still can be
      May we pass along Old Glory
      For all our kids to see