John Betjeman. In Westminster Abbey.

Let me take this other glove offAs the vox humana swells,And the beauteous fields of EdenBask beneath the Abbey bells.Here, where England's statesmen lie,Listen to a lady's cry.Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans,Spare their women for Thy Sake,And if that is not too easyWe will pardon Thy Mistake.But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,Don't let anyone bomb me.Keep our Empire undismemberedGuide our Forces by Thy Hand,Gallant blacks from far Jamaica,Honduras and Togoland;Protect them Lord in all their fights,And, even more, protect the whites.Think of what our Nation stands for,Books from Boots' and country lanes,Free speech, free passes, class distinction,Democracy and proper drains.Lord, put beneath Thy special careOne-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.Although dear Lord I am a sinner,I have done no major crime;Now I'll come to Evening ServiceWhensoever I have the time.So, Lord, reserve for me a crown,And do not let my shares go down.I will labour for Thy Kingdom,Help our lads to win the war,Send white feathers to the cowardsJoin the Women's Army Corps,Then wash the steps around Thy ThroneIn the Eternal Safety Zone.Now I feel a little better,What a treat to hear Thy Word,Where the bones of leading statesmenHave so often been interr'd.And now, dear Lord, I cannot waitBecause I have a luncheon date.I will labour for Thy Kingdom,Help our lads to win the war,Send white feathers to the cowardsJoin the Women's Army Corps,Then wash the steps around Thy ThroneIn the Eternal Safety Zone.Now I feel a little better,What a treat to hear Thy Word,Where the bones of leading statesmenHave so often been interr'd.And now, dear Lord, I cannot waitBecause I have a luncheon date.