O ships that sail that wide highway,
O pilot at the helm of fate,
Hold true your course—come safe to port;
A thousand hearts go in your freight.
O pilot at the helm of fate,
Hold true your course—come safe to port;
A thousand hearts go in your freight.
LE CHEMIN DES DAMES
THROUGH Picardy, where blossoms blend,
Through far Champagne, a journey's end,
It winds away, the ancient road.
Long, long ago 'twas builded there
That royal ladies forth might fare
And journey on a pleasure quest
To distant court.
Through far Champagne, a journey's end,
It winds away, the ancient road.
Long, long ago 'twas builded there
That royal ladies forth might fare
And journey on a pleasure quest
To distant court.
There silken mantels caught the breeze
Where powdered beauties took their ease
In gilded coaches satin-lined.
And cavaliers, all gaily dressed,
Rode at the side, and song and jest
Filled every passing wind with joy
Of life and love.
Where powdered beauties took their ease
In gilded coaches satin-lined.
And cavaliers, all gaily dressed,
Rode at the side, and song and jest
Filled every passing wind with joy
Of life and love.
Long, long ago! Now war's hot brand
Has seared the sweet Picardy land
And blurred Champagne with blood;
And up and down "The Ladies' Way"
The hell-hounds yelp all night and day
With snarl of bursting shot and shell
And roar of guns.
Has seared the sweet Picardy land
And blurred Champagne with blood;
And up and down "The Ladies' Way"
The hell-hounds yelp all night and day
With snarl of bursting shot and shell
And roar of guns.
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