Poem: “Memorial Day” bu Samuel F. Smith, lyricist of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

                         Strew the fair garlands where slumber the dead,

Ring out the strains like the swell of the sea;

Heart-felt the tribute we lay on each bed;

Sound o’er the brave the refrain of the free.

 

Sound the refrain of the loyal and free,

Visit each sleeper and hallow each bed:

Wave the starred banner from seacoast to sea;

Grateful the living and honored the dead.