1952

I was walking home from school when I heard the tolling of the Church bells.

The old King lay in the shadow,

The young Queen sat on the throne,

The world half-turned in its sorrow

As I came wandering home!

‘Do you mark,’ I said, ‘the bells,’ I said

‘There’s grief in that mournful ring…’

‘They toll for the death of Him,’ he said,

‘The death of our gracious King.’

 

My heart lay still in its vestry,

My blood was chilled to the bone,

I carried my books behind me

As I came wandering home!

‘We have lost,’ he said, ‘a man,’ he said

‘As fine as a man could be!’

‘But haven’t we lost our King,’ I said…

‘…and gained a Queen,’ said he.

 

David Lewis Paget