0:003:49
by Julian Grenfell, 1915
To arms – Fight!
1. Verse
The fighting man shall from the sun
Take warmth, and life from the glowing earth;
Speed with the light-foot winds to run,
And with the trees to newer birth;
2. Verse
The woodland trees that stand together,
They stay to him each one a friend;
They gently speak in windy weather;
They guide to valley and ridge`s end.
Chorus
The blackbird sings to him, “Brother, Brother,
if this be the last song you shall sing,
sing well, for you may not sing another;
Sing Brother, sing brother, sing.”
Fire!
3. Verse
All the bright company of heaven
Hold him in their high comradeship
The Dog-star, and the Sister Seven,
Orion`s Belt and sworded hip.
4. Verse
The kestrel hovering by day,
And the little owls that call by night,
Bid him be swift and keen as they,
As keen of ear, as swift of sight.
In dreary, doubtful, waiting hours,
before the brazen frenzy starts,
The horses show him nobler powers;
O patient eyes, courageous hearts!
Attack!
1. Verse
The fighting man shall from the sun
Take warmth, and life from the glowing earth;
Speed with the light-foot winds to run,
And with the trees to newer birth;
2. Verse
The woodland trees that stand together,
They stay to him each one a friend;
They gently speak in windy weather;
They guide to valley and ridge`s end.
Chorus
The blackbird sings to him, “Brother, Brother,
if this be the last song you shall sing,
sing well, for you may not sing another;
Sing Brother, sing brother, sing.”
Fire!
3. Verse
All the bright company of heaven
Hold him in their high comradeship
The Dog-star, and the Sister Seven,
Orion`s Belt and sworded hip.
4. Verse
The kestrel hovering by day,
And the little owls that call by night,
Bid him be swift and keen as they,
As keen of ear, as swift of sight.
In dreary, doubtful, waiting hours,
before the brazen frenzy starts,
The horses show him nobler powers;
O patient eyes, courageous hearts!
Attack!
