Hail, Alma Mater dear, To us be ever near. Help us thy motto bear Through all the years. Let Duty be well performed. Honor be e'er untarned Country be ever armed. West Point, by thee.
Guide us, thine own, aright Teach us by day, by night, To keep thine honor bright, For thee to fight.
When we depart from thee, Serving on land or sea, May we still loyal be, West Point, to thee
And when our work is done, Our course on earth is run, May it be said, "Well done" Be thou at peace." E'er may that line of gray Increase from day to day Live, serve, and die, we pray, West Point, for thee.
美國國歌《星條旗》(The Star Spangled Banner)最能體現一個年輕的“自由國度”旺盛的生命力和無比強大的自信。每個美國人在唱起他們的國歌時,都有着無尚的自豪和驕傲。美國律師兼詩人弗朗西斯-斯科特-基在一次對英戰爭中,透過硝煙看到一面美國國旗(那時還是15顆星)在城堡中屹立飄揚時,深為感動,寫下了幾行詩,這首詩後以英國作曲家的《To Anacreon In Heaven》為配曲,取名“星條旗”,在1931年被正式定位美國國歌。我記得兒子高中時Varsity 比賽,每次都要演奏國歌,孩子們立定面向國旗,前後手牽手一起合唱,觀眾席上的家長全體起立,右手放在胸前,臉上一付莊嚴神情。美國人的愛國在人人都能唱國歌上最能體現。