This article was originally published in the April 2004 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society

Loud the tocsin sounds through Britain,

Stirring men to fall in line

Echoing over hills and valleys,

Penetrating inmost shrine,

Where the son of lonely mother

Hesitates, is torn in twain;

But the woman’s heart is strengthened-

“Go, my son; your duty’s plain.”

Strong the men, but braver women-

Born to suffer greater pain-

Cheerfully self-sacrificing,

By their faith the men sustain.

Sons, their bright eyes gleaming bravely,

Follow drums with iron zeal,

And their hearts too full to measure

What they ask, or think, or feel.

All they know ‘tis Britain calling-

“For the best afloat, ashore,

To uphold the flag of freedom

Flying at the open door.”

Listen to the drums of England

Heed the pipes o’ the North,

Harken to the harps of Erin,

Rally men of British Birth.

Toronto, October 15, 1914.