and just as I took and waved the flag,

我正举着并挥舞着国旗
which now for the first time meant anything to these poor people,

国旗第一次对这些贫苦的人产生意义
there suddenly arose close beside the platform

突然在最靠近展台的地方
a strong male voice,

响起一个强壮的男声
but a little cracked and elderly,

但是有一点嘶哑和衰老
into which two women's voices instantly blended, singing,

立刻有两个女人的声音加入他唱着歌
as if by an impulse

好像是一种冲动
that could no more be repressed than the morning note of a song sparrow.

那种清晨麻雀叫早的冲动
'My country 'tis of thee,

'我的祖国你啊
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.'

可爱的自由之乡我为您歌唱'
People looked at each other,

人们看着彼此
and then at us on the platform

然后看着展台上的我们