Rumours of War

June Tabor

There are soldiers marching on the common today
They were there again this evening
They paced up and down like sea birds on the groundBefore 
the storm clouds gathering
I must buy whatever tinned food is left on the 
shelvesThey are testing the air raid sirens
They've filled up the blood banks and emptied the bedsAt 
the hospital and the asylum
I saw a man build a shelter in his garden today
As we stood there idly chatting
He said "nono I don't think was will come"
Yet still he carried on digging
Everything in my life that I love
Could be swept away without warning
Yet the birds still sing and the church bells ring
And the sun came up this morning
Life goes on as it did beforeAs the country drifts slowly 
to war