The Band Played Trelawny
The river and fields deep in mist were enclosed
And nowhere was blooming a Picardy rose
They’re over The Somme was the message that came
And now they are firing the barns of Verlaines
And who now will greet them with bayonet and gun?
And who now will fight them in the night of the sun?
And who now is camped in a cutting close by?
Why it’s none but the lads of the D.C.L.I.
And the band played Trelawny and the old One and All
Was the chorus they sang as they answered the call
And the men who were asking for one reason why
Were none but the lads of the D.C.L.I.
So it’s put down your mess tin and pick up your gun
March into history and get the job done
Just four thousand yards and you’re in the front line
Marching in step with the music of time
It’s a week before Easter and what should we sing?
And who made Trelawny his passion-tide hymn?
But good was his sword and trusty his hand
So singing Trelawny, together we’ll stand
Chorus.
And if the sky darkens about the third hour
Know our examples of far greater power
And if in this life we should stumble and fall
By Tre, Pol and Pen we shall rise to the call
Chorus.
Where poplars stand guard in the land beyond time
And Picardy fields wait for roses to shine
Where mist hugs the quiet (San) Quentin canal
You’ll still hear the voices from Porth and from Bal
“And shall Trelawny live or shall Trelawny die?
Here’s twenty-thousand Cornishmen will know the reason why”
Chorus.