Dawn on the Somme [Robert Nichols poem set to music]
Channel: tobydarling
Date: 02/07/2016

Here is a poem about The Somme, written by a fellow old Wykehamist, which I have set to music:

Dawn on the Somme

By Robert Nichols

Intro: Am7 D C#m7 F#m7 Bm7 F#m7 C#m7
Am7 Em7 F
Last night rain fell over the scarred plateau 
Am7 D C#m7 F#m7
And now from the dark horizon, dazzling, flies 
Bm7 F#m7 C#m7
Arrow on fire-plumed arrow to the skies 
Am7 D C#m7 F#m7
Shot from the bright arc of Apollo's bow; 
Bm7 F#m7 C#m7
And from the wild and writhen waste below,
Am7 Em7 F
From flashing pools and mounds lit one by one,
Am7 D C#m7 F#m7
O is it mist or are these companies 
Bm7 F#m7 C#m7
Of morning heroes who arise, arise 
Am7 D C#m7 F#m7
With thrusting arms, with limbs and hair aglow 
Bm7 F#m7 C#m7
Toward the risen god, upon whose brow
Am7 Em7 F
Burns the gold laurel of all victories, 
Am7 Em7 A
Hero and hero's god, th' invincible Sun?