I took one of Auntie Babs’ notebooks away with me on holiday so that I could choose a particularly suitable poem for today 4th August.  Already seeing the tributes on television, so moving and poignant I was right in deciding on her poem entitled “A Tribute”.  It was printed in the East Sussex News.

When I started my blog, I included some information about Beatrice (Babs) and in one blog included photographs, one of which was a scan of her words which were put into a song during the Great War by a french composer Guy D’Hardelot. This was the pen name for Helen Guy who also  composed the music to the song made famous by Mario Lanza – “Because”.

Babs knew her personally and the song is entitled “In England Now”.  I have the original sheet music.  I have also included this poem today as I feel certain it contains the sentiments of so many young men fighting far away for their country, and longing to be back home.

A Tribute

I have no words in which to sing your praise
Oh, Heroes of a thousand noble deeds.
I cannot sing as poets sang of old
Of valiant knights and acts of chivalry.
Yet would I lift my feeble voice in song
And hope some magic power could lend me
For a while the golden tones of England’s
Greatest Bard: – then would I sing a glorious
Song for you, Oh fearless Patriots.
Yet though it echoed to the very stars
Still would there be some wondrous tale untold
Some high endeavour – some sacrifice unknown.
For who will ever know all you have done,
All you have suffered, and so freely given.
For some, alas, will come to the no more
They will not wear their crown of laurels here
Or sing with us the hymn of victory.
And shall we never know the transcendent
Story of their unconquerable souls?
I cannot think that they will go unsung.
Oh, surely those are the songs of heaven?
The songs of triumph that the angels sing
Saying “Oh, no greater love hath man than this,
That he lay down his life for his friends.

Beatrice Helen Poole.

In England Now

It’s blossom time in England now
And in a village far away
Lilacs are blooming and red May
And blackbirds sing the live-long day
In England now.

It’s blossom time in England now
And in a little wood I know
Anemonies and bluebells grow
And on green banks pale cowslips glow
In England now.

It’s blossom time in England now
And yet my dearest memory
Is of a girl who waits for me
And Oh, sweetheart I long to be
With you in England now.

Beatrice Helen Poole

There are still many poems to include relating to the poems of World War One so please continue reading.