<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Call to Arms in Our Street</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">There's</span> a woman sobs her heart out,</p><p class="line">With her head against the door,</p><p class="line">For the man that's called to leave her,</p><p class="line">-- God have pity on the poor!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">But it's beat, drums, beat,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">While the lads march down the street,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">And it's blow, trumpets, blow,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">Keep your tears until they go</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">There's a crowd of little children</p><p class="line">That march along and shout,</p><p class="line">For it's fine to play at soldiers</p><p class="line">Now their fathers are called out.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">So it's beat, drums, beat;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">But who'll find them food to eat?</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">And it's blow, trumpets, blow,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">Ah! the children little know.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">There's a mother who stands watching</p><p class="line">For the last look of her son,</p><p class="line">A worn poor widow woman,</p><p class="line">And he her only one.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">But it's beat, drums, beat,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">Though God knows when we shall meet;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">And it's blow, trumpets, blow,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">We must smile and cheer them so.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">There's a young girl who stands laughing,</p><p class="line">For she thinks a war is grand,</p><p class="line">And it's fine to see the lads pass,</p><p class="line">And it's fine to hear the band.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">So it's beat, drums, beat,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">To the fall of many feet;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">And it's blow, trumpets, blow,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">God go with you where you go</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">To the war.</p></div><p class="byline">W. M. LETTS</p><em>Saturday Westminster, August</em> 15, 1914</body></html> · Great War