Poems: New and Old (Newbolt)/Northumberland
Northumberland
"The Old and Bold."
When England sets her banner forth.And bids her armour shine,She'll not forget the famous North,The lads of moor and Tyne;And when the loving-cup's in hand,And Honour leads the cry,They know not old NorthumberlandWho'll pass her memory by.
When Nelson sailed for TrafalgarWith all his country's best,He held them dear as brothers are,But one beyond the rest.For when the fleet with heroes mannedTo clear the decks began,The boast of old NorthumberlandHe sent to lead the van.
Himself by Victory's bulwarks stoodAnd cheered to see the sight;"That noble fellow Collingwood,How bold he goes to fight!" Love, that the league of Ocean spanned,Heard him as face to face;"What would he give, Northumberland,To share our pride of place?"
The flag that goes the world aroundAnd flaps on every breezeHas never gladdened fairer groundOr kinder hearts than these.So when the loving-cup's in handAnd Honour leads the cry,They know not old NorthumberlandWho'll pass her memory by.