Dear river, flowing day by day
Down from the busy town to me,
Go, carry with you on your way
My message to the ships at sea.

Flow on past all the level land,
The long green fields, the village towers,
The homely farms on either hand,
The kind-eyed cattle deep in flowers:

Till comes an hour you catch from far
The salt and sounding of the tide,
And reach beyond the harbour bar
Waters that as the world are wide.

There seek the great grey ships that keep
For England steadfast watch and ward,
And give them in the lonely deep
My message from the homes they guard.

Tell them for us the lengthening year
Spreads each new day some sweet surprise—
We grieve that changing seasons bear
To them but empty seas and skies.

Tell them we safely sleep at night
Because no rest their labour knows,
And bless them that till morning light
Not once their watching eyes will close:

That busy men by forge and desk,
Who drive the pen, who ply the tool,
And mothers at each household task,
And boys and girls at play, at school,

Still pause with thoughts and thanks to pay
For faithful service those who roam
And fight our battles far away
That we may dwell in peace at home.