They came from ranches of the West, where plain and mountain call,
From down east way, by Fundy's Bay, from Don and Montreal;
Their feet had known the sea-walled street, where ocean
mists hang gray,
And one to four, though stricken sore, they kept the foe at bay.
The air rained death by bomb and dart, the earth belched death below
By shining blade and hand grenade and death by poison slow.
Three days of hell, with shot and shell, they fought
'neath moon and sun;
The Belgian plain was strewn with slain, Canadian and Hun.
Ye troubadours—who sing of wars and brave deeds handed down,
When you will sing how for the King they fought near Ypres town,
Tell how they fought and nobly wrought like Paladins of old;
Tell how my sons retook the guns and won their spurs of gold.
And you will tell how Birchall fell as calm as on parade,
How on they bore amid the roar in that wild charge they made,
Where Julien's wood in moonlight stood when midnight met the morn.
Tell how they died, my brave, my pride, on that field battle torn.
They went not forth for gain or gold, 'twas not for such they died.
They fought for right 'gainst armed might that covenants defied.
Pure was their quest, to serve the best, their banner they unfurled
For that high plan, the rights of man, the freedom of the world.
The feet that press'd my ample breast, the eyes that loved my pines,
Will know no more my welcome shore, but still their glory shines.
Sing, troubadour, let thy song soar, sing with a voice divine
Of how they saved the day and braved the despot of the Rhine.
"SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE"
Oh, everywhere the women wait for men "somewhere in France";
They wait the postman's passing step, they watch with eager glance;
They watch and wait to know their fate, with anxious hearts in pain,
The seas are wide and, woe betide, they may not come again.
Oh, postman on your daily round, what message do you bring
From them who fight in foreign lands for country and for king?
And is it glad or is it sad, that missive's written page,
Postmarked from France where men advance and frightful battles rage?