Prose & Poetry - The Muse in Arms - The Soldier Speaks
Updated - Saturday, 21 June, 2003

First published in London in November 1917 and reprinted in February 1918 The Muse in Arms comprised, in the words of editor E. B. Osborne:

"A collection of war poems, for the most part written in the field of action, by seamen, soldiers, and flying men who are serving, or have served, in the Great War".

Below is one of seven poems featured within the Songs section of the collection.  You can access other poems within the section via the sidebar to the right.

The Soldier Speaks
by F. W. Harvey

Within my heart I safely keep,
England, what things are yours:
Your clouds, and cloud-like flocks of sheep
That drift o'er windy moors.
Possessing naught, I proudly hold
Great hills and little, gay
Hill-towns set black on sunrise-gold
At breaking of the day.

Though unto me you be austere
And loveless, darling land;
Though you be cold and hard, my dear,
And will not understand,
Yet have I fought and bled for you,
And, by that self-same sign,
Still must I love you, yearn to you,
England - how truly mine!

"Jerry" was a nickname used by the Allies to describe German soldiers.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated