When Father worked in courts of law,
An ordinary man,
I never thought one day to draw
His sword, as now I can.

I never thought that friends quite near,
And boys I knew by sight,
Who went away to school last year,
Would this year go to fight.

I never thought the gardener's son,
And men in shops I knew,
And postmen — our own special one —
Would all be soldiers too.

I never thought our town, so far
From coast and cliff and quay,
Could send back many a jolly tar
To serve the King at sea.

O dare I think the war will bide
Until I too have grown
To carry, clanking as I stride,
A sword like Father's own?