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)
