Advance the Green Banner

Advance the Green Banner was a song written by an East Vertanian nationalist for the self-styled "Republican Army of the East" (RAE), a force of 1,300 Vertanian militiamen who were the descendants of rebels who fled East Vertania after their failed rebellion against Kalland's annextion of East Vertania, many of the rebels who fled had served with East Vertanian patriot Kieran Matthews in his 101 BBY rebellion, in which he set up a short-lived independent East Vertanian state.

As the Confederate States of Earth declared independence at the start of 21 BBY East Vertanians who hoped for the restoration of their independence were given new hope and impetus to begin revolting against Kallandian rule, this was spearheaded by the East Vertania Expedition, which took place two days after the start of the Earth Civil War, during the expedition the RAE marched from Vertania into East Vertania, toward Veruza, where they were met with much cheering. The solid green flag of the RAE, representing the green plains of East Vertania, was incredibly popular with East Vertanian nationalists and freedom fighters.

However, the expedition would sadly end in failure, the expedition, being completely cut off from the Confederacy, and deep in what was then Union territory, was surrounded on all sides apart from sympathetic Vertania by pro-Kalland nations, Kalland defeated the RAE at the Battle of Dennard's Crossing, the survivors of the RAE fled back to Vertania.

This defeat at the RAE put pain to East Vertania's hopes for independence for several months, by mid 21 BBY many more nations had joined the Confederacy, included Vertania herself, with the Confederacy now bordering East Vertania they were able to provide direct support for the local freedom fighters, which forced Kalland from their land, declaring the Second Republic of East Vertania.

For their sacrifice in attempting to restore independence and freedom, and for restoring the battle for independence, the Republican Army of the East were regarded as national heroes, the solid green flag was greatly honoured, and often flown by East Vertanian patriots, with at least one unit in the Army of East Vertania flying her as their battle flag, and a monument to the RAE was placed in Dennard's Crossing.

The song was included in a patriotic Confederate songbook titled Patriotic Songs and Anthems of Confederate Earth.

Lyrics
Advance the Green Banner, you fellows,

As green as our grassy plains,

bring her forward, Vertania's sons,

your fathers' land you all are to save,

'Twas years ago, the invader came,

and forc'd his rule upon our land.

And we did cry and we all did shout,

that our land shall be e'er free.

And we did struggle and we did fight,

to defend our loved liberty,

yet the tyrant was too strong,

our freedom we could not save.

Advance the Green Banner, you fellows,

As green as our grassy plains,

bring her forward, Vertania's sons,

your fathers' land you all are to save.

And now it is your turn, my friends,

to carry back the banner of the free,

that green banner you carry unto the sky,

Upon her sight the oppressed shall happily cry.

Advance the Green Banner, you fellows,

As green as our grassy plains,

bring her forward, Vertania's sons,

your fathers' land you all are to save.

And take heart in your march, my kin,

for it be God's work you do this day,

God shall grant you his Providence,

and shall scatter the forces of tyranny.

Advance the Green Banner, you fellows,

As green as our grassy plains,

bring her forward, Vertania's sons,

your fathers' land you all are to save.

And when you reach old Veruza,

our crowds shall all cheer for you,

and her daughters shall welcome you,

O, honoured Heroes of the Free!

Advance the Green Banner, you fellows,

As green as our grassy plains,

bring her forward, Vertania's sons,

your fathers' land you all are to save.