When the lights flash out

When the lights flash up in London town,
When the streets are bright and gay,
The mantles hiding the lights are down
And the apint is scraped away.

When the balls ring out in London town,
When the boys come home to stay,
And khaki stained to an earthy brown
Is folded and packed away,

Hearts will sadden in London town
For those who will come no more,
Though peace is the gem of our vistoy's crown,
Some hearts will be sad and sore.

When the lights flash up in London town,
There are some who will never know;
Brave sons that are welding our land's renown
"Out there" where the best men go.

When the lights flash up in London town,
In the blaze of wild delight,
When the pride of Attila tumbles down
In the dust of his humbled might.

When the lights flash up in London town,
her sons from lands afar
Will weave Mother England a martial crown
From the leaves they plucked from war.

When sorrow and duty and pain have kissed,
And fame in her tear-pearled gown
leads Victory bright from the war-red mist
To us through the lights in town.

Sohere's to the hour when the lights will blaze,
When the mantles and shades are down,
Love counts her rosary beads in days
Till the lights will blaze in town.
London April 24, 1916