Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Ralph Mctell
Canonical path: /ralph-mctell/england-1914
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
England 1914
Read England 1914 lyrics by Ralph Mctell on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
England 1914
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Night stirs her inky finger in the water of the day,
The tired sun drops slowly in the sky.
And everywhere the gentle air hangs heavy with the day song
Evening calls the lamplight out to come
Children's wooden hoops go clattering down the street
Soon they're called inside, it's getting late.
The grand canal
Now splashed with red
Reflects on swallows wings.
The lamplighter knows the song the evening sings.
But the gas-lamps stand like soldiers
Hiss warnings to the wind
Their evening vespers prophicy a war.
The world divides
And men take sides
The spark bursts into flame
Nothing can be quite the same again.
Dog barks in the distance
Child cries in her sleep
Night waits for the dawn with baited breath.
The old school, the old rule
Rung out on a muffinman's bell
The lamplighter has made his nightly call.
Dreams of hope and peace
Sent clattering down the streets
Empty like the promises they made.
The wars rage on, and different wrongs
Will someone please explain
That peace is not the lamplighter
'Cos he's not coming back again
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Who performs "England 1914"?
Ralph Mctell performs "England 1914", and this lyric page sits inside the Ralph Mctell catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "England 1914"?
Yes. The related section below points to The Fairground and Are You Receiving Me with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Ralph Mctell?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Ralph Mctell's lyric pages.
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