More songs by the fighting men. Soldiers poets: second series/John Mason

JOHN MASON

Captain, Royal Scots

 

My Country

THERE is no dearer land in all the world
Than thee, my country, girded by the sea,
Where rocks re-echo to the bounding waters hurl'd,
And all is endless sight and mystery to me.
The silent distances of hills, replete
With tideless joy, eternal hope
Upspringing with the eagle's pennon-beat,
Free to the airs, with ne'er a tether-rope
To check its flight.

The sky above may weep, and seldom smile,
And mirky be the frown upon thy brow.
Yet O! thy mountain woods and endless mile
Of sea, sing joy unbound, and life, that now
Expansive breathes the freshness of the free.
Thy piney airs and salt-sea breezes blown,
With peaty scent and loamy breath of lea
Seek out the soul that nowhere else hath known
The like to thee.

There is no dearer land in all the world
Than thee, my country, girded by the sea.
'Twere joy to those who bear the flag unfurl'd
In ruthless strife to keep thine acres free,
To dip the hand in blood, the face to scar
With sword of death, that thou unconquered may
For Freedom stand, the vanquisher of war,
Chaste guardian of the unprotected way
To peace and right.