The King’s Return

A new nursery rhyme, written in an older, traditional style. This one is just fiction.

The King’s Return

 

Sweep the cobbles,                                

Sweep the cobbles,                                

Make all the byways clean;          

From Buckingham to London Bridge,

Make ready for the Queen!          

 

Spread the rushes,                                  

Spread the rushes,                                  

With flowers of the May;             

Prepare the streets of London Town,

The Queen shall ride today!         

 

Sound the trumpets,                               

Sound the trumpets,                               

Let all the welkins ring;                

Let the people shout with gladness,

For homeward comes the King!            

 

Marching soldiers,                                 

Marching soldiers,                                 

Coming along the way;                 

Turn out to see the banners wave,

The King returns today!                

 

Lay the tables,                              

Lay the tables,                              

With meat, bread, wine, and beer;         

Let all good Englishmen rejoice,

With feasting and good cheer!               

 

Sound the timbrels,                                

Sound the timbrels,                                

Let songs the minstrels sing;         

From Westminster let bells ring out,

The vict’ry of the King!                

 

Throw wide the gates,                           

Throw wide the gates,                           

To welcome England’s lord;                 

The fair Queen rides to greet the King,

Through London spread the word!                 

 

Bow and curtsey,                                   

Bow and curtsey,                                   

Passes the royal train;          

His enemies our King subdued,

And now in peace shall reign!      

Author's Note

Initial reactions and constructive criticism welcome. It's meant to resemble older-style nursery rhyme ballads. The tale is fictional, though it might have historical analogues.