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.
美国国歌《星条旗》(The Star Spangled Banner)最能体现一个年轻的“自由国度”旺盛的生命力和无比强大的自信。每个美国人在唱起他们的国歌时,都有着无尚的自豪和骄傲。美国律师兼诗人弗朗西斯-斯科特-基在一次对英战争中,透过硝烟看到一面美国国旗(那时还是15颗星)在城堡中屹立飘扬时,深为感动,写下了几行诗,这首诗后以英国作曲家的《To Anacreon In Heaven》为配曲,取名“星条旗”,在1931年被正式定位美国国歌。我记得儿子高中时Varsity 比赛,每次都要演奏国歌,孩子们立定面向国旗,前后手牵手一起合唱,观众席上的家长全体起立,右手放在胸前,脸上一付庄严神情。美国人的爱国在人人都能唱国歌上最能体现。