Sussex – My Home

Who would the rolling Downs exchange

For mountains of a greater height?

The sweeping hills and fertile combe

For summits that obscure your sight?

Who would the ancient earthworks change

For hostile castles, gaunt and grey?

That stand out black against the sun

Nor gladly greet the coming day?

Who would our cool blue sea exchange

For inland lakes and muddy sands?

We English to the seas are bound

By unseen, unrelenting bands.

Who would our chalk white cliffs exchange

For others that are red or brown?

And those who would wish our peaceful Weald

The chaos of a busy town?

(1974)