Captains and the Kings

I remember in September when the final stumps were drawn
And the shouts of crowds now silent when the boys had gone to tea
Let us oh Lord above us remember simple things
When all are dead who love us well the Captains and the Kings
When all are dead who love us well the Captains and the Kings

We have many goods for export Christian ethics and old port
But our greatest boast is that the Anglo Saxon is a sport
When the darts game it is finished and the boys their game of rings
The draughts and chess relinquished well the Captains and the Kings
The draughts and chess relinquished well the Captains and the Kings

Far away in dear old Cyprus or in Kenya's dusty land
Where all bear the white man's burden in many a strange land
As we look across our shoulder in West Belfast the school bell rings
And we sigh for dear old England and the Captains and the Kings
And we sigh for dear old England and the Captains and the Kings

In our dreams we see old Harrow and we hear the crows loud caw
At the flower show our big marrow takes the prize from Evelyn Waugh
Cups of tea and some dry sherry vintage cars these simple things
Let us drink up and be merry for the Captains and the Kings
Let us drink up and be merry for the Captains and the Kings

As I wandered in a nightmare all around Great Windsor Park
Well what do you think I found there as I wandered in the dark
It was an apple half-bitten the sweetest of all things
Five baby teeth they'd written of the Captains and the Kings
Five baby teeth they'd written of the Captains and the Kings

By the moon that shines above us in the misty morning light
Let us cease to run ourselves down and thank God that we are white
And better still we're English tea and toast and muffin rings
And old ladies with stern faces well the Captains and the Kings
Old ladies with stern faces well the Captains and the Kings