Old England

Old England! in your direst hour
When darkest clouds appeared to lower,
When bravest souls were sorely tried,
When for humanity they died,
A barrier between bad and good,
A bulwark for the world you stood,
Old England! you staunchly faced a cruel foe
Alone and with hearts full of woe,
Tortured both by night and day
to vicious enemies a prey;
You fought alone while over here
Was shed for you full many a tear.
Old England! you gave all for freedom’s flame,
Oft now our hearts are saddened
As they reach the golden gate – –
The torch is passed along to us
We followed in their wake.