Defenders of the Flag features: Bruce Hornsby (accordion, vocals, synthesizer); George Marinelli (guitar, backing vocals); Peter Harris (mandolin, guitar); John Molo (drums); Joe Puerta (bass, backing vocals); Huey Lewis (harmonica).
Defenders of the Flag meaning of the song
“Defenders of the Flag” by Bruce Hornsby is a sharp critique of hypocrisy within powerful institutions like government, the church, and the judiciary. The song describes how figures of authority, who are supposed to represent moral values and defend societal principles, are instead indulging in personal indiscretions and failing their responsibilities. The imagery of a “faded old glory” represents the deterioration of once-strong ideals, now reduced to a sham by the very people charged with upholding them.
Personal indiscretion and hypocrisy
The song paints vivid pictures of misconduct by public figures in positions of power. Each verse offers a snapshot of institutional failure, where individuals who should embody integrity are instead seen as corrupt and self-serving. For example, the preacher, a figure of moral authority, is caught “with the new girl from the choir.” The suggestion is that even religious leaders, who are supposed to guide their congregations in righteousness, are not immune to base desires. The phrase “If these guys are the good ones, I don’t want to know the bad” summarises the disillusionment with those who should be role models.
The reference to “they just picked it up from dad” implies that these behaviours are part of a legacy, passed down through generations. The idea that such misconduct is inherited suggests a deep-rooted cultural issue, where corruption is normalised and perpetuated within families and institutions.
Government failure and fading ideals
The recurring image of “faded old glory” symbolises the flag of the United States, which is often seen as representing freedom, justice, and equality. In the song, this flag is “hanging like a rag,” evoking a sense of abandonment or decay. The ideals the flag represents have been tarnished, not by external enemies, but by the very people who are meant to defend them—the “defenders of the flag.” This imagery suggests that the country’s values have withered under the weight of corruption.
The lines “The city halls are falling” and “The defenders drink their wine” further emphasise the idea that the people entrusted with safeguarding the government are indulging in luxury and carelessness while their responsibilities crumble. The “city halls” represent the centres of political power, and their symbolic collapse shows how these institutions are deteriorating from within.
Religious hypocrisy
In addition to criticising government officials, Bruce directs sharp criticism at religious leaders. The image of the preacher “with the new girl from the choir” highlights the sexual misconduct often hidden within religious institutions. The fact that the preacher is found in the place where “they store the boxes of the book of prayer” adds to the irony and hypocrisy, as this is supposed to be a place of sanctity and respect.
This specific scenario critiques not just individual behaviour but also the systemic nature of corruption within institutions like the church. The preacher’s actions show how religious figures, who are meant to uphold the highest moral standards, can fall into moral failure themselves.
The judiciary and justice system
The final verse of the song shifts focus to the judicial system, using the image of a judge drinking whiskey and watching inappropriate films during his lunch break. The phrase “the wheels of justice never stood a chance” captures the idea that the justice system is compromised from within. If those in charge of law and order are corrupt, how can the system function fairly? The judge, a symbol of legal authority, is shirking his duties in favour of self-indulgence.
The line “Threw the ball to home, but they always missed the tag” is a metaphor for failure in executing justice. No matter how hard they try, these figures of authority are always falling short of their responsibilities. The idea that justice is always “missing the tag” suggests a broken system where fairness and accountability are elusive.
Faded glory and the decline of institutions
Throughout the song, the flag serves as a powerful symbol of ideals that are now “faded” and “hanging like a rag.” The defenders of these ideals—whether they are politicians, religious leaders, or judges—are failing to live up to their roles. Their personal indiscretions, carelessness, and lack of accountability are causing the very foundations of society to erode. The image of the flag, once a proud emblem of national values, now in tatters, reflects the overall decay of the institutions it represents.
Summary
“Defenders of the Flag” by Bruce is a scathing critique of the hypocrisy and moral decay within public institutions like the government, church, and judicial system. The song exposes personal indiscretions by figures of authority, such as a preacher engaged in an affair, and a judge more interested in drinking whiskey than upholding justice. Through vivid imagery and cultural references, Bruce suggests that the very people entrusted with protecting societal values are the ones eroding them. The “faded old glory” symbolises the decline of once-strong ideals, now tarnished by corruption and failure. Ultimately, the song serves as a commentary on how institutional failure and personal misconduct lead to the collapse of societal trust and values.
Your further thoughts
Earlier, we saw how Bruce had tapped into political sentiment in Look Out Any Window. Similarly, Defenders of the Flag and Jacob’s Ladder reveal a little more about the political animal inside the Bruce Hornsby of 1988/89.
Defenders of the Flag looks at the theme of personal indiscretion and hypocrisy within public institutions; government, church and judiciary – “sleaze”, as it has become known on this side of the pond.
I heard Defenders on a Hornsby concert, recorded years ago for radio, and I believe he made some reference in the general direction of the disgraced Republican administration, Oliver North, and their murky arms deals. It would be interesting to know whether Bruce, with his clear democrat sympathies, has been willing to play Defenders of the Flag, and made a similar statement of discontent, with regards to the personal life of Bill Clinton?
Musically, the backing is a sort of semi Status-Quo electric guitar accompaniment. However, the main musical feature is the guest appearance of Huey Lewis on “harp”. Being a Welsh harpist, I spent several occasions trying to listen for the sound of “harp” strings, and wondering where, and how, the hell Huey Lewis had managed to learn the “harp”. It took two or three years to realise that “harp” is American for “mouth organ”. D’oh! D’oh! D’oh!
Carwyn Tywyn
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Defenders of the Flag
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Los Angeles, CA
September 10 2011