Here is one of many excellent compositions from the late Kiwi-Quoinslander, Mark Gillet.


Little England

Our pioneers, many generations lost in time,
Sail away, made a home across the world
They took this land, transformed it with blood and iron
Above it all, the flag of England unfurled

They saw clouds like white cliffs on the horizon
Above a land that was clean, green and new
But when they came they bought Little England with them
And it lives on inside me and inside you

Ch.
And in the lion and the unicorn,
Cricket oval and a croquet lawn
Carol singers and a hunting horn
Little England
And though I know it’s just a state of mind
Little England can be so unkind
I’ll sail away and see what I can find
In Little England

Echoes from, my childhood so far away
The cradle songs, my mamma sang to me
Oh Little England when will I let you go
Your cradle songs, keep haunting me

The beating drum, there’s red coats marching in the square
Keeps us in chains, stop our souls from flying free
Oh Little England when will you let us go
Your beating drums keeps driving me

Chorus .....
I’ll sail away and see what I can find
In Little England

I can see clouds, like white cliffs on the horizon
Above a land that‘s clean, green and new
But I can’t go Little England’s got this hold on me
Till everyone can sail away too



More about Mark can be read in the Mudcat "In Memorium" thread.
Thanks to his mate, Noel Gardner, for these lyrics. Noel has been learning Mark's 'LE' song of late, for his next CD.

Here is a YT clip of Mark singing "Little England" that I only just discovered : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SmVXeq4Jus


Cheers, R-J