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1880–1916

THE NEW SOLDIERS SING:

Tom Kettle

To Odin's challenge we cried Amen! We stayed the plough, and laid by the pen, And we shouldered our guns like gentlemen, That the wiser weak should hold.

Blood on the land, and blood on the sea? So it stands as ordained to be, Stamp, and signet, and guarantee Of the better ways we knew.

Time for the plough when the sword has won; The loom will wait on the crashing gun, And the hands of peace drop benison When the task of death is through.

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THE NEW SOLDIERS SING: · Tom Kettle · Poetry Cove