“Barbara Frietchie” for Independence Day

The Barbara Fritchie House and Museum is located at 154 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland.I’ve always loved this poem for its depiction of the courage of spunky Barbara Frietchie. It doesn’t take place during the American Revolution, but I felt that the sentiment was entirely appropriate for Independence Day. With its simple rhyme scheme and catchy story, it is suitable for copywork, memorization, and recitation.

Barbara Frietchie

by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)

Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,

The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach tree fruited deep,

Fair as a garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain wall,—

Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars,
Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind: the sun
Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town,
She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic-window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet.

Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right
He glanced: the old flag met his sight.

“Halt!”—the dust-brown ranks stood fast,
“Fire!”—€out blazed the rifle-blast.

It shivered the window, pane and sash;
It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill,
And shook it forth with a royal will.

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came;

The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman’s deed and word:

“Who touches a hair of yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on!” he said.

All day long through Frederick street
Sounded the tread of marching feet:

All day long that free flag tost
Over the heads of the rebel host.

Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well;

And through the hill-gaps sunset light
Shone over it with a warm good-night.

Barbara Frietchie’s work is o’er,
And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.

Honor to her! and let a tear
Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall’s bier.

Over Barbara Frietchie’s grave,
Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!

Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick town!

 


Don’t miss this passionate recitation of “Barbara Frietchie” by Mabel, a lady who clearly loves this poem.

Here are a couple of sites relevant for Independence Day:

The Library of Congress offers a look at ‘Today in History’ and much more.

To listen to or download patriotic songs for free, visit Patriot Icon.

Home of Heroes is loaded with interesting and useful resources, such as founding documents, president biographies, timelines, and quizzes. If you can overlook the glaring colors and visual clutter, it’s an excellent resource.

Founding Fathers offers a brief history of the US, along with links to important federal documents.
And finally, Recipezaar offers some delicious recipes for an Independence Day picnic.

Enjoy!

2 Responses

  1. Tami Kennedy says:

    I just came across your blog and I thought you would want to know about this recording of “Barbara Frietchie” released earlier this year on CD. You can check it out at http://www.two17records.com. It is a great poem for the day!

  2. Thanks, Tami! I just browsed over and listened to the sample clip, and it’s beautifully done. Setting poetry to music enhances both, and this is amazingly evocative. I’m glad you stopped by and shared the link!

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