Hold Together, Boys

Ay, hold Together for God's sake now,
The Devil hath his hour,
And rages fiercely, knowing how
Precarious is his power!
One last grim effort, grasping hands
The gaping gulf to bridge,
Before the Channel 'twixt two lands
Buns red from ridge to ridge.

With your own life-drops warm and wet
They dangle the red rag
On Baton and on Bayonet,
As their Bull-Baiting Flag;
And palest faces well may flush,
Hearts beat the battle-drum:
But keep your Banks and make no rush,
Till the Belief shall come.

"We will be with you soon in front,
Or fighting side by side:
To-day 'tis yours to bear the brunt
So often borne with pride!
We feel no coward fear for you,
Though sore it be to bear;
We fight your battle here for you
Who fight our battle there!

For Future life keep calm as death,
For strength gulp down your ire
Waste not a word to lose a breath,
While passing through the fire!
Worthily follow your great Dead
"Who played the deathless part;
Police — who have power to break the head —
Can't break a Nation's heart.