When earth was dark and sky was grey,
And the ragged weeds in the dripping clay
Were all God's world to those.
Where are those others in this glad time,
When the standards wave and the joy-bells chime,
And London stands with outstretched hands
Waving her children in?
Athwart our joy still comes the thought
Of the dear dead boys, whose lives have bought
All that sweet victory has brought