Great Edwardian Air-raid

We stood upon the heath, the astronomer and I
Counting parasols, watching couples cycle by
Suburban streets were still when someone cried aloud
And at that moment I looked up the war machines broke cloud

Airships filled the skies above our heads
The sky was dark and fires blushed it red

A low hum filled the air as they turned towards the town
Their bombs destroyed the bandstand and sent statues to the ground

Airships filled the skies above our heads
The sky was dark and fires blushed it red

Craters marked the common, rubble, smoke and flame
Someone fired a pistol in anger and in vain

Airships filled the skies above our heads
The sky was dark and fires blushed it red

Stunned he walked to Maida Vale and on reaching my front door
The astronomer said without a qualm "You know this must mean war"

Airships filled the skies above our heads
The sky was dark and fires blushed it red
Airships filled the sky, blacked out the sun
The old world died, a new age had begun