They hold the Sword and Keys in state—

Our bands are loosed, our sins forgiven—

They sit there guarding Lewes Gate

As they would guard the Gate of Heaven.

For Lewes Town like Heaven is,

And Heaven is like Lewes Town.

The golden streets go up the hill,

In sunshine dreaming, warm and still;

Ouse river through the vale below

Like Sion’s Stream of Life doth flow,