Till the boys come home

I. Novello

They were summoned from the hillside,

They were called in from the glen,

And the country found them ready

At the stirring call for men.

Let no tears add to their hardship,

As the soldiers pass along,

And although your heart is breaking

Make it sing this cheery song.

Keep the home fires burning,

While your hearts are yearning,

Though your lads are far away

They dream of home;

There's a silver lining

Through the dark cloud shining,

Turn the dark cloud inside out,

Till the boys come home.

Over seas there came a pleading,

"Help a nation in distress,"

And we gave our glorious laddies;

Honour made us do no less,

For no gallant son of Britain

To a foreign yoke shall bend,

And no Englishman is silent

To the sacred call of friend.