«How far is St. Helena from a little child at play?» |
What makes you want to wander there with all the world between? |
Oh, Mother, call your son again or else he’ll run away. |
(No one thinks of winter when the grass is green!) |
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«How far is St. Helena from a fight in Paris street?» |
I haven’t time to answer now - the men are falling fast. |
The guns begin to thunder, and the drums begin to beat. |
(If you take the first step, you will take the last!) |
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«How far is St. Helena from the field of Austerlitz?» |
You couldn’t hear me if I told - so loud the cannon roar. |
But not so far for people who are living by their wits. |
(«Gay go up» means «Gay go down» the wide world o'er!) |
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«How far is St. Helena from an Emperor of France?» |
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The Kings sit down to dinner, and the Queens stand up to dance. |
(After open weather you may look for snow!) |
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«How far is St. Helena from the Capes of Trafalgar?» |
A longish way - a longish way - with ten year more to run. |
’s South across the water underneath a falling star. |
(What you cannot finish you must leave undone!) |
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«How far is St. Helena from the Beresina ice?» |
An ill way - a chill way - the ice begins to crack. |
But not so far for gentlemen who never took advice. |
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«How far is St. Helena from the field of Waterloo?» |
A near way - a clear way - the ship will take you soon. |
A pleasant place for gentlemen with little left to do. |
(Morning never tries you till the afternoon!) |
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«How far from St. Helena to the Gate of Heaven's Grace?» |
That no one knows - that no one knows - and no one ever will. |
But fold your hands across your heart and cover up your face, |
And after all your trapesings, child, lie still! |