The body lay on fragrant earth under empty skies in an open field A shallow grave, unmarked, unnoticed, in crumbling furrows carved by rusted ploughs They will bury your empty coffin; they will raise for you a Stone They will know you fell in glory In the corner of some lonely foreign field Broken cloud, fleeting shadows, silhouettes are scattered Cross the sky The hollow laughter fills the heavens And echoes round a still and silent field Where you have climbed Jacob's ladder; where you saw the light of God And from the voices of his angels the Truth was heard, the Truth was heard I have slept in the shadows of moonstruck trees A mossy pillow my rock of dreams The wood smoke lingers among smouldering leaves Like my thoughts are carried away on a stiffening breeze To the domes and spires, the glittering towers Of palaces of kings and thrones of power I will climb Jacob's ladder; I will see the light of God, I will hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words I take the field in honest battle My father's sword is sure in hand My heart my shield, my dreams my armour My banners high my hopes are gathered Fortunes home I'll surely carry and the bells will ring in Honour of my name Should I falter, should I tarry, should I hesitate, should I Fall? Then bury me in your memories, let our children hear the Bugle call Let them climb Jacob's ladder; let them see the light of God Let them hear from the tongues of angels his Holy words Let them take the field