the flag still waves

news comes and we find we are not so tough
as to accept the fates without a sigh
it is so easy now to call our bluff

we face the struggle always in the rough
signals are sent and we just pass them by
news comes and we find we are not so tough

off islands we have heard the waves rebuff
shallow the seas but we can't reach too high
it is so easy now to call our bluff

we make pretense of being hard and gruff
but cannot from your face the meaning pry
news comes and we find we are not so tough

you climb and climb but cannot leave the slough
receive the benediction but still lie
it is so easy now to call our bluff

between the tides we learn to say enough
our words are honest though our hearts are wry
news comes and we find we are not so tough
it is so easy now to call our bluff