The Ballad of St. Barbara and other verses/Elegy in a Country Churchyard

by Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Not to be confused with Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.

ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCH-YARD

THE men that worked for England
They have their graves at home:
And bees and birds of England
About the cross can roam.

But they that fought for England,
Following a falling star,
Alas, alas for England
They have their graves afar.

And they that rule in England,
In stately conclave met,
Alas, alas for England
They have no graves as yet.