Lyrics

Can you hear the church bells ring
Chiming through the dark
The war is here to stay
Paint your windows black
Armies in stained glass
Depictions of the past
Have never gone away
They turn on us today

Mainstreet is filled with mimes
Who shield their eyes from the blinding light
Where young children wake
From dreams glowing white

I sent Amelia by train to the north
To stay with Aunt Poppy
It is safer there at least for now
I will send a missive to Newcastle
Upon her arrival to check up on her
You must know that I love you dearly
And shall vouchsafe any new information
As it comes to me

For now I shall remain in London
To assist with the war effort
And to look after our home
Keep close to the radio
And stockpile sufficient vittles for the winter

Take my hand and walk with me
On the beach or Normandy
Can you see the shadows overhead
The ghosts of men from ages past
The shapes of things that come at last
The restless history of man
The wars he starts our children pretend

Wartime
It’s wartime
Wartime
Our wartime