|
The body lay on fragrant earth under empty skies in an open field, |
|
A shallow grave, unmarked, unnoticed, in crumbling furrows carved by rusted ploughs, |
|
They will bury your empty coffin; they will raise for you a |
|
stone, |
|
They will know you fell in glory, |
|
In the corner of some lonely foreign field, |
|
Broken cloud, fleeting shadows, silhouettes are scattered |
|
cross the sky, |
|
The hollow laughter fills the heavens, |
|
And echoes round a still and silent field, |
|
Where you have climbed Jacob's ladder; where you saw the light of God, |
|
And from the voices of his angels the Truth was heard, the Truth was heard. |
|
I have slept in the shadows of moonstruck trees, |
|
A mossy pillow my rock of dreams, |
|
The wood smoke lingers among smouldering leaves, |
|
Like my thoughts are carried away on a stiffening breeze |
|
To the domes and spires, the glittering towers |
|
Of palaces of kings and thrones of power, |
|
I will climb Jacob's ladder; I will see the light of God, I will hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words, |
|
I take the field in honest battle, |
|
My father's sword is sure in hand, |
|
My heart my shield, my dreams my armour, |
|
My banners high my hopes are gathered |
|
Fortunes home I'll surely carry and the bells will ring in |
|
honour of my name |
|
Should I falter, should I tarry, should I hesitate, should I |
|
fall? |
|
Then bury me in your memories, let our children hear the |
|
bugle call, |
|
Let them climb Jacob's ladder; let them see the light of |
|
God, |
|
Let them hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words, |
|
Let them take the field. |
