Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedYou're a Grand Old Flag
Patriotic1900sPictured: George M. Cohan, c. 1918 (public domain) · source
136BPM
UnconfirmedKey
More around 140 BPM → · More “Public Domain” →
Algorithmically estimated; acoustic-era recordings are a documented hard case for automated tempo/key detection.
The verdict
Public Domain
In the public domain — but check the Rights Status below; a specific host's copy can carry its own caveat.
Used by independents?
Yes — it’s in the public domain — free for any independent artist to use, with no clearance needed.
Origin
Written by George M. Cohan for his musical 'George Washington, Jr.'; copyrighted January 19, 1906, first performed February 6, 1906 at the Herald Square Theater, NYC
The real inspiration
Inspired by an actual encounter Cohan had with a Civil War veteran (who fought at Gettysburg) carrying a tattered, carefully-folded flag, who reportedly said 'She's a grand old rag'
A sheet-music milestone
Became the first song from a musical to ever sell over a million copies of sheet music
Rights Status
Licenses explained →Public domain is not one blanket badge — each source can carry its own caveat
The compositionPublic domain
The early recordingPublic domain
Cultural Impact
Documented covers, adaptations, and cultural echoes — each with a real, dated source
The song had to be renamed after real public backlash
Originally titled and copyrighted 'You're a Grand Old Rag,' it drew objections from critics, veterans, and civic groups who felt calling the flag a 'rag' was disrespectful. Cohan tried a compromise lyric before fully renaming it 'You're a Grand Old Flag' and re-copyrighting it on June 2, 1906. Some Billy Murray recordings under the original 'Rag' title still circulate among collectors.
Library of Congress · read it →
Quotes other traditional tunes within its own melody
The song incorporates musical snippets of both 'Dixie' and 'Auld Lang Syne' — a direct connection to another song already in this catalog.
Gettysburg Flag Works · read it →
Became one of the most popular US marching-band pieces ever
Still commonly performed by marching bands, especially on Flag Day; a 1954 arrangement by Paul V. Yoder remains in common military use today.
Wikipedia · read it →
Not everyone loved it at the time
Life magazine critic James Metcalfe panned Cohan's show and its songs as 'mawkish appeals to the cheapest kind of patriotism' — included for balance, not as universal praise.
Library of Congress · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?Yes — free to use without clearance
References
Every source cited on this page — 4 in total
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Page history · 1 update
Jul 2026Page created (draft — pending verification)