I saw the spires of Oxford As I was passing by, The grey spires of Oxford Against the pearl-grey sky. My heart was with the Oxford men Who went abroad to die. The years go fast in Oxford, The golden years and gay, The hoary Colleges look down On careless boys at play. But when the bugles sounded war They put their games away. The left the peaceful river, The cricket-field, the quad, The shaven lawns of Oxford, To seek a bloody sod -- They gave their merry youth away For country and for God. God rest you, happy gentlemen, Who laid your good lives down, Who took the khaki and the gun Instead of cap and gown. God bring you to a fairer place Than even Oxford town. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EVENING SONG OF THE THOUGHTFUL CHILD by KATHERINE MANSFIELD LA PALOMA IN LONDON by CLAUDE MCKAY COMING DOWN TO THE DESERT AT LORDBURG, N.M. by HAYDEN CARRUTH DRUMS AND BRASS by DONALD (GRADY) DAVIDSON BATTLE OF BRITAIN by CECIL DAY LEWIS SISTER MARIA CELESTE, GALILEO'S DAUGHTER, WRITES TO FRIEND by MADELINE DEFREES |