Classic Poem

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
Down the world, round the world, back to London town,
To see the waters and the whales, the emus and the mandarins,
To see the Chinese mandarins, each in a silken gown.

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
Through the vast Atlantic waves, back to London town,
To see the ships made whole again that sank below the tempest,
The Trojan and Phoenician ships that long ago went down.
And there are sailors keeping watch on many a Roman galley,
And silver bars and golden bars and mighty treasure hid,
And splendid Spanish gentlemen majestically walking
And waiting on their Admiral as once in far Madrid.

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
Down and under to New York, back to London town,
To see the face of Liberty that smiles upon all children,
But when too soon they come of age she answers with a frown.

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
O'er the wide Tibetan plains, back to London town,
To see the Youthful Emperor among his seventy princes,
Who bears the magic sceptre, who wears the magic crown.

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
Through the jungles African, back to London town,
To see the shining rivers and the drinking place by moonlight,
And the lions and hyenas and the zebras coming down:
To see bright birds and butterflies, the monstrous hippopotami,
The silent secret crocodiles that keep their ancient guile,
The white road of the caravans that stretches o'er Sahara,
And the Pharaoh in his litter at the fording of the Nile.

Here we go a-walking, so softly, so softly,
Up the hills of Hampstead, back to London town,
And the garden gate stands open and the house door swings before us,
And the candles twinkle happily as we lie down.

For here the noble lady is who meets us from our wanderings,
Here are all the sensible and very needful things,
Here are blankets, here is milk, here are rest and slumber,
And the courteous prince of angels with the fire about his wings.