Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG, by JOHN COWPER POWYS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In olden days men drew their sword
Last Line: Twas not so in the past, sir!
Subject(s): Heaven; Sea; Singing & Singers; Smiles; Soul; Paradise; Ocean


In olden days men drew their sword
And fought for bread and fame, sir!
In olden days men knew their Lord,
And trembled at his name, sir!

Chorus.

Now men are weak and women learn'd
And life is lived too fast, sir!
To pity's tune the world is turned,
'Twas not so in the past, sir!

In olden days men loved their friend,
And struck their foe and killed him.
Then no one left a revel's end
Till he had throughly filled him.

Chorus.

Now men are weak, etc.

In olden days the Church and King
Took all men's prayers and purses,
But now they get no other thing
Than compliments and curses.

Chorus.

Now men are weak, etc.

In olden days men took their time
In business and in pleasure,
They drank and laughed and built the rhyme,
Made love and war at leisure.

Chorus.

Now men are weak, etc.

In olden days men prest their own
On beauty's lips and kissed her,
Or went aside and made their moan
That they had fairly missed her!

Chorus.

Now men are weak, etc.

In olden days man loved his wife,
And marched against his neighbour,
And some were born to relish life
And some were born to labour.

Chorus.

Now men are weak, etc.

In olden days that earth was flat,
And all the stars went round it,
Was not a thing to cavil at,
But take it as you found it.

Chorus.

Now men are weak and women learn'd
And life is lived too fast, sir!
To pity's tune the world is turned,
'Twas not so in the past, sir!





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