The Field

The body lay on fragrant earth under empty skies in an open field
A shallow grave, unmarked, unnoticed, in crumbling furrows carved by rusted ploughs
They will bury your empty coffin; they will raise for you a
Stone
They will know you fell in glory
In the corner of some lonely foreign field

Broken cloud, fleeting shadows, silhouettes are scattered
Cross the sky
The hollow laughter fills the heavens
And echoes round a still and silent field
Where you have climbed Jacob's ladder; where you saw the light of God
And from the voices of his angels the Truth was heard, the Truth was heard
I have slept in the shadows of moonstruck trees
A mossy pillow my rock of dreams
The wood smoke lingers among smouldering leaves
Like my thoughts are carried away on a stiffening breeze
To the domes and spires, the glittering towers
Of palaces of kings and thrones of power
I will climb Jacob's ladder; I will see the light of God, I will hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words
I take the field in honest battle
My father's sword is sure in hand
My heart my shield, my dreams my armour
My banners high my hopes are gathered
Fortunes home I'll surely carry
And the bells will ring in honour of my name
Should I falter, should I tarry
Should I hesitate, should I fall
Then bury me in your memories
Let our children hear the bugle call
Let them climb Jacob's ladder; let them see the light of
God
Let them hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words
Let them take the field