| |
| ENGLAND! where the sacred flame | |
| Burns before the inmost shrine, | |
| Where the lips that love thy name | |
| Consecrate their hopes and thine, | |
| Where the banners of thy dead | 5 |
| Weave their shadows overhead, | |
| Watch beside thine arms to-night, | |
| Pray that God defend the Right. | |
| |
| Think that when to-morrow comes | |
| War shall claim command of all, | 10 |
| Thou must hear the roll of drums, | |
| Thou must hear the trumpet’s call. | |
| Now, before thy silence ruth, | |
| Commune with the voice of truth; | |
| England! on thy knees to-night | 15 |
| Pray that God defend the Right. | |
| |
| Single-hearted, unafraid, | |
| Hither all thy heroes came, | |
| On this altar’s steps were laid | |
| Gordon’s life and Outram’s fame. | 20 |
| England! if thy will be yet | |
| By their great example set, | |
| Here beside thine arms to-night | |
| Pray that God defend the Right. | |
| |
| So shalt thou when morning comes | 25 |
| Rise to conquer or to fall, | |
| Joyful hear the rolling drums, | |
| Joyful hear the trumpets call, | |
| Then let Memory tell thy heart: | |
| “England! what thou wert, thou art!” | 30 |
| Gird thee with thine ancient might, | |
| Forth! and God defend the Right! | |
| |
