The History List |

"Grand Old Flag" V-neck shirt

Color Silver

Size S M L XL 2XL

Quantity

$ 29.95

Sale Sold out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Our exclusive design for the 4th, featuring the lyrics from George M. Cohan's "You're a Grand Old Flag," an American patriotic march and a tribute to the U.S. flag.

Important note on sizing for the V-neck: Order one size up.

The shirt:

Printed on a super soft 4.3 ounce t-shirt from Next Level that is 60% cotton / 40% polyester jersey and has been pre-washed to reduce shrinkage. Based on the feedback from buyers, one of whom characterized it as more of a "feminine fit," order a size larger than you would if you were ordering a standard men's/unisex shirt. (Size chart)

Important: Order one size up.

Also available, "Grand Old Flag" in a crewneck shirt for men and women, small poster, postcards, and magnet.

Historic background behind the design

"The song was first publicly performed on February 6, the play's opening night, at Herald Square Theater in New York City. "You're a Grand Old Flag" quickly became the first song from a musical to sell over a million copies of sheet music. The title and first lyric comes from someone Cohan once met; the Library of Congress website notes. "You're a Grand Old Flag", would become one of the most popular American marching-band pieces of all time.

"The original lyric for this perennial George M. Cohan favorite came, as Cohan later explained, from an encounter he had with a Civil War veteran who fought at Gettysburg. The two men found themselves next to each other and Cohan noticed the vet held a carefully folded but ragged old flag. The man reportedly then turned to Cohan and said, "She's a grand old rag." Cohan thought it was a great line and originally named his tune "You're a Grand Old Rag." So many groups and individuals objected to calling the flag a "rag," however, that he "gave 'em what they wanted" and switched words, renaming the song "You're a Grand Old Flag".

"In the play itself, the scene with the Civil War soldier was replicated. The soldier's comment was the lead-in to this song. Thus, the first version of the chorus began, "You're a grand old rag / You're a high-flying flag". Despite Cohan's efforts to pull that version, some artists such as Billy Murray had recorded it under its original title, "The Grand Old Rag", in advance of the play's opening, and copies under that title still circulate among collectors. Cohan's second attempt at writing the chorus began, "You're a grand old flag / Though you're torn to a rag". The final version, with its redundant rhyme, is as shown below.

Today, many different arrangements of the song exist. In particular, Paul V. Yoder's arrangement of "You're a Grand Old Flag" is a version commonly used today by the U.S. military in its performances of the song."

Source: Wikipedia

Shipping

Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season

December 13 at 2 pm Eastern: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS. While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. This date is more conservative than the date published by USPS. We want to be sure that everyone gets their gift in time. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.
December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items received by 2 pm Eastern Thursday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.
December 23 at noon: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.
Fulfillment will be closed from December 24 through January 1.

For personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds purchased after December 13

If you purchase a personalized item, signed book, or Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase to see what the options are. (If it turns out that it won't get to you or the gift recipient by Christmas, we will give you an immediate refund and will also recommend alternative gifts.)

For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping)

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95.

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping.

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

Free shipping

On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.)

$5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

$8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

UPS 3 Business Day Select

Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

Cut off time: Orders received by 8 am Eastern will ship the same business day. Orders received after that time will ship the next business day. Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing.

UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday. This applies to the 48 contiguous states.

$14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
$18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)

Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

For shipments to addresses outside the United States

Destinations

We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

Charges

Canada and Mexico

Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

Rest of the World

Rates starts at $65.00.

Additional charges for all destinations

Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge. If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.