I thought to pull a couple of my vintage patriotic albums out today and listen to them on July 4, 2026. I’ve had You’re A Grand Old Flag – American Patriotic Music for Every Child as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved American history, patriotic music, and this album cover artwork in particular.

I don’t remember how or when I received this as a child. I would guess it was a Christmas present from my parents. I was nine at the bicentennial so I might have received it the Christmas before. The timeline would make sense. There is no copyright on this package, but a website that specializes in old albums identified it as 1968. This copy was definitely sold later than that.

You’re a Grand Old Flag

Unknown Artists (1968)

Side A

• You’re A Grand Old Flag
• America The Beautiful
• When Johnny Comes Marching Home
• Oklahoma
• When I First Came To This Land
• The Yellow Rose Of Texas
• I’m A Yankee Doodle Dandy

Side B

• The Star Spangled Banner
• The Old Chisolm Trail
• Home On The Range
• Ballad Of Davy Crockett
• Arkansas Traveller
• Stars And Stripes Forever

I’ve kept it all this time, but probably haven’t listened to it in 30 or 40 years. It didn’t even sound familiar which is unusual because I am very good at remembering music. So I know it’s been a long, long time. (On the other hand, the bicentennial album I pulled out I remembered vividly and could sing right along decades later.)

I told Caroline the artwork on the back reminds me of Schoolhouse Rock productions which are from that same general time period. She agreed.

I mentioned to David at breakfast that I remember thinking as a child during the bicentennial that I would be 59 when the next big celebration happened. That sounded so incredibly old and far away. And yet here we are.

May God bless these United States of America with another 250 years. ♥