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| “HOW far is St. Helena from a little child at play?” | |
| What makes you want to wander there with all the world between? | |
| Oh, Mother, call your son again or else he’ll run away. | |
| (No one thinks of winter when the grass is green!) | |
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| “How far is St. Helena from a fight in Paris street?” | 5 |
| I haven’t time to answer now—the men are falling fast. | |
| The guns begin to thunder, and the drums begin to beat. | |
| (If you take the first step, you will take the last!) | |
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| “How far is St. Helena from the field of Austerlitz?” | |
| You couldn’t hear me if I told—so loud the cannons roar. | 10 |
| But not so far for people who are living by their wits. | |
| (“Gay go up” means “Gay go down” the wide world o’er!) | |
| |
| “How far is St. Helena from an Emperor of France?” | |
| I cannot see—I cannot tell—the crowns they dazzle so. | |
| The Kings sit down to dinner, and the Queens stand up to dance. | 15 |
| (After open weather you may look for snow!) | |
| |
| “How far is St. Helena from the Capes of Trafalgar?” | |
| A longish way—a longish way—with ten year more to run. | |
| It’s South across the water underneath a falling star. | |
| (What you cannot finish you must leave undone!) | 20 |
| |
| “How far is St. Helena from the Beresina ice?” | |
| An ill way—a chill way—the ice begins to crack. | |
| But not so far for gentlemen who never took advice. | |
| (When you can’t go forward you must e’en come back!) | |
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| “How far is St. Helena from the field of Waterloo?” | 25 |
| A near way—a clear way—the ship will take you soon. | |
| A pleasant place for gentlemen with little left to do. | |
| (Morning never tries you till the afternoon!) | |
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| “How far from St. Helena to the Gate of Heaven’s Grace?” | |
| That no one knows—that no one knows—and no one ever will. | 30 |
| But fold your hands across your heart and cover up your face, | |
| And after all your trapesings, child, lie still! | |
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