Songs of hope and tunes of glory
Half remembered Albion hymns
Rise up Saint George and tell the story
This is where your song begins

Leave the drunkard to his bottle
And leave the prophet to his doom
Let the critics sneer and prattle
Give Saint George some fighting room

Come, come, throw a penny on the drum
A penny for the passing of the days
Run, run, and see the setting of the sun
Come and see the changing of the ways

Where are all the ragged heroes?
Buried in their suits of iron [so fine?]
Withered rose lies on the headstone
Will it bloom a second time?

Come come and throw a penny on the drum
A penny for the passing of the hour
Run, run, and see the rising of the sun
Come and see the blooming of the flower

Throw a penny piece, a penny on the drum
And the withered rose will rise up like the sun

[John Tams]