Home Thoughts from Abroad

April in England–daffodils are growing
  By every wayside, golden, tall and fair;
April–and all the little winds are blowing
  The scents of springtime through the sunny air.
April in England–God, that we were there!

April in England–and her sons are lying
  On these red fields, and dreaming of her shore;
April–we hear the thrushes' songs replying
  Each unto each, above the cannons' roar;
April in England–shall we see it more?

April in England–there's the cuckoo calling
  Down in her meadows where the cowslip gleams;
April–and little showers are softly falling,
  Dimpling the surface of her babbling streams;
April in England–how the shrapnel screams!

April in England–blood and dust and smother,
  Screaming of horses, men in agony.
April–full many of thy sons, O Mother,
  Never again those dewy dawns shall see.
April in England–God, keep England free!