The Calls [WILFRED OWEN poem set to music]
Channel: tobydarling
Date: 10/08/2018

The Calls - Poem by Wilfred Owen

Dusu4/A D/A
A dismal fog-hoarse siren howls at dawn.
Csus4-C Gm
I watch the man it calls for, pushed and drawn
Bbmaj7/A Asus4-A
Backwards and forwards, helpless as a pawn.
Dm Am
But I'm lazy, and his work's crazy.

Quick treble bells begin at nine o'clock,
Scuttling the schoolboy pulling up his sock,
Scaring the late girl in the inky frock.
I must be crazy; I learn from the daisy.

Em Am G B7
Stern bells annoy the rooks and doves at ten.
Am7 Am6# Am6 Am
I watch the verger close the doors, and when
Em Am B7 Em
I hear the organ moan the first amen,
G D C B7
Sing my religion's-same as pigeons'.

A blatant bugle tears my afternoons.
Out clump the clumsy Tommies by platoons,
Trying to keep in step with rag-time tunes,
But I sit still; I've done my drill.

Gongs hum and buzz like saucepan-lids at dusk,
I see a food-hog whet his gold-filled tusk
To eat less bread, and more luxurious rusk.

Then sometimes late at night my window bumps
From gunnery-practice, till my small heart thumps
And listens for the shell-shrieks and the crumps,
But that's not all.

C G Am B7
For leaning out last midnight on my sill
Am7 Am6# Am6 Am
I heard the sighs of men, that have no skill
Am7 Am6# Am6 Am
To speak of their distress, no, nor the will!
G D Em
A voice I know. And this time I must go. 
Wilfred Owen

Dsus4/A: x0778x
D/A: x0775x
Csus4: x3556x
Bbmaj7/A: x0323x
Am7 Am6# Am6 Am: x055xx/ x045xx/0035xx/x025xx


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