The
Englishman
I
am from the stock, the trunk and the root,
I
am from the orchard rich with fruit.
I
am from the mine, the strike, the vein,
I
am from the Glory and the pain,
I
am from the sun on golden swaying fields,
I
am from the strength, too tough to yield.
I
am from the weakness, born of love,
I
am from the toil, the push, the shove,
I
am from the valleys where a river runs,
I
am from the mountains first set foot upon.
I
am from the sea where great Armadas sailed’
I
am from the land whereon their armies failed.
To
change the pattern and cut the strain,
Will
drown our heritage in pain.
So,
in valour and in verse plain…
An
Englishman I am, and shall remain!