We're not so old in the Army List, But we're not so new in the ring, For we carried our packs with Marshal Saxe When Louis was our King. But Douglas Haig's our Marshal now And we're King George's men, And after one hundred and seventy years We're fighting for France again! _Ah, France! And did we stand by you, When life was made splendid with gifts and rewards? Ah, France! And will we deny you In the hour of your agony, Mother of Swords? Old Days! The wild geese are flighting, Head to the storm as they faced it before! For where there are Irish there's loving and fighting, And when we stop either, it's Ireland no more! Ireland no more!_ A NATIVITY 1916 _The Babe was laid in the Manger Between the gentle kine-- All safe from cold and danger--_ 'But it was not so with mine. (With mine! With mine!) 'Is it well with the child, is it well?' The waiting mother prayed. 'For I know not how he fell, And I know not where he is laid.' _A Star stood forth in Heaven, The watchers ran to see The Sign of the Promise given--_ 'But there comes no sign to me. (To me! To me!) '_My_ child died in the dark. Is it well with the child, is it well? There was none to tend him or mark, And I know not how he fell.' _The Cross was raised on high; The Mother grieved beside--_ 'But the Mother saw Him die And took Him when He died. (He died! He died!) 'Seemly and undefiled His burial-place was made-- Is it well, is it well with the child? For I know not where he is laid.' _On the dawning of Easter Day Comes Mary Magdalene; But the Stone was rolled away, And the Body was not within--_ (Within! Within!) 'Ah, who will answer my word?' The broken mother prayed. 'They have taken away my Lord, And I know not where He is laid.' * * * * * _The Star stands forth in Heaven. The watchers watch in vain For a Sign of the Promise given Of peace on Earth again--_ (Again! Again!) 'But I know for Whom he fell'-- The steadfast mother smiled 'Is it well with the child--is it well? It is well--it is well with the child!' EN-DOR 'Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor' 1 _Samuel_ XXVIII 7 The road to En-dor is easy to tread For Mother or yearning Wife. There, it is sure, we shall meet our Dead As they were even in life. Earth has not dreamed of the blessing in store For desolate hearts on the road to En-dor.