The Lights of London Town

The way was long and weary,
But gallantly they strode,
A country lad and lassie,
Along the heavy road.
The night was dark and stormy,
But blithe of heart were they,
For shining in the distance
The Lights of London lay
.
0 gleaming lamps of London, that gem the city's crown,
What fortunes lie within you, 0 Lights of London Town !
The years passed on and found them
Within the mighty fold,
The years had brought them trouble,
But brought them little gold.
Oft from their garret window,
On long, still, summer nights,
They'd seek the far-off country
Beyond the London lights.
O mocking lamps of London, what weary eyes look down And mourn the day they saw you, O Lights of London Town !
With faces worn and weary,
That told of sorrow's load,
One day a man and woman
Crept down a country road.
They sought their native village,
Heart-broken from the fray ;
Yet shining still behind them
The Lights of London lay.
O cruel lamps of London, if tears your light could drown,
Your victims' eyes would weep them, O Lights of London Town !
-GEORGE R. Sims.